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Medicines used to treat cancer

The first major success in the field of modern chemotherapy of cancer has been made in the 40s, when, during the Second World War began to study in detail the effects on the body of chemical warfare agents: mustard gas, or bis (Ab chloroethyl) sulfide, and nitrogen mustard, or trihloretilamina. Even earlier (in 1919) it became known that nitrogen mustard cause leukopenia and bone marrow aplasia. Further studies showed that specific nitrogen mustard has cytotoxic effect on lymphoid tissue, and has antitumor activity in mice with lymphosarcoma. In 1942, clinical trials were initiated trihloretilamina that marked the beginning of the era of modern chemotherapy of tumors.
Soon, it was synthesized a number of derivatives of bis (Ab chloroethyl) amine or bis (2-chloroethyl) amine, and some of them have been used as antitumor agents.
According to the mechanism of action of this group of agents are considered as alkylating agents K, because they form covalent bonds (alkylating displaying property) with nucleophilic compounds, including biologically important radicals such as phosphates, amines, sulfhydryl, imidazole groups and others.
Cytotoxic effects and other alkylating agents primarily due to alkylation of DNA structural elements (purines, pyrimidines).
Following the bis A (b chloroethyl) amine were obtained the compounds alkylating cytostatic other chemical groups ethylenimines, alkylated sulfonates, triazenes.
In the early 60-ies were discovered anticancer agent of another mechanism of action - Kantimetabolity. Methotrexate having structural similarity to folic acid and its being an antimetabolite, was effective in certain human tumors, particularly in women with choriocarcinoma and acute leukemia.
purine analogs (mercaptopurine, thioguanine) and pyrimidine (fluorouracil and its analogs, cytarabine, etc.) Following this, antineoplastic antimetabolites other properties were found.
Further, as anti-tumor agents, has found application range of antibiotics (adriamycin, olivomycin, dactinomycin et al.), Enzymes (L-asparaginase), some alkaloids (vinblastine - rozevin, vincristine), platinum agents, and several other compounds.
For the treatment of hormone-dependent tumors, wide application range received estrogenic, androgenic, and progestational agents (progestogens), as well as estrogen antagonists (antiestrogens -. Tamoxifen, etc.) and androgen antagonists (antiandrogens - flutamide, etc.).
In recent years, much attention began to attract endogenous antitumor compounds. Found effective in certain types of tumors Kinterferonov (. Cm), studied the antitumor activity of other lymphokines (interleukins - 1 and 2).
Along with a specific inhibitory effect on tumors, advanced antineoplastic effect on other tissues and body systems, on the one hand, it causes their adverse effects on the other hand allows their use in other areas of medicine.
One of the major side effects of most anticancer drugs is their depressing effect on the blood-forming organs, which requires special attention and fine-tune doses and mode of application of preparations. Keep in mind that depression is enhanced hematopoiesis in combination therapy -. Combined use of drugs, radiation therapy, etc. are frequently observed loss of appetite, diarrhea, alopecia, and other possible side effects. Some antitumour antibiotics possess cardiotoxicity (adriamycin, doxorubicin, etc.), Nefroi ototoksichnostyu.
With some drugs may develop hyperuricemia (see. Allopurinol).
Estrogens, androgens and their analogues and antagonists may cause hormonal disorders (often gynecomastia).
One of the characteristics of a number of anticancer drugs are their immunosuppressive effect, which can weaken the body's defenses and facilitate the development of infectious complications. At the same time, in connection with this action a number of anticancer agents (methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, prospidin et al.) Is used in some cases for therapeutic purposes in autoimmune diseases. When allograft organ and bone marrow transplantation are often Ktsiklosporinom (cm.), The K azathioprine (cm), glucocorticosteroids.
U General contraindications to the use of anticancer drugs are severe cachexia, terminal stage of the disease, strongly expressed leuko- and thrombocytopenia.
The question of the use of these drugs in pregnancy is solved individually U. As a rule, because of the risk of teratogenicity of these drugs during pregnancy is not indicated; do not use them as breastfeeding.
The use of anticancer drugs only as directed oncologist.
Recently, some new permitted further antineoplastic drugs.
A group of drugs used to treat cancer drugs include: