Antineoplastic agents and classification

Antineoplastic agents and their classification 

Anti-metabolites (Pyrimidine, Purine, Folic acid analogs)

Introduction

"Antiplastic agents are drugs used to treat cancer, malignancies, carcinomas, sarcomas, tumors, neoplasms or leukemias."

Other names for antineoplastic drugs are chemo, anticancer, cytotoxic, toxic drugs, or chemotherapy. These drugs are available in many forms, including liquids or pills.

Neoplasm

“Neoplasm refers to the group of diseases caused by several agents like chemical compounds and radiant energy”

Cancer:

“Cancer is characterized by an abnormal and uncontrolled division of cells that produces a tumor and invades adjacent normal tissues."

Often cancer cells separate themselves from the primary tumor and are carried by the lymphatic system to reach distant sites of the organ, where they divide and form a secondary tumor (metastasis).

Antineoplastic agents or anticancer drugs represent a diverse and large class of drugs. They generally have limited but important uses, and often have hepatotoxicity.

Classification

Antineoplastic agents are classified as:

1) Alkylating agents

2) Antimetabolites

3) Antibiotics

4) Enzymes

5) Plant products

6) Hormones

7) Immunotherapy

8) Monoclonal antibodies

9) Radiotherapeutic agents

ANTI-METABOLITES

1. PYRIMIDINE ANALOGUES

Pyrimidine analogs are antimetabolites that interfere with nucleic acid synthesis. Generally, they are hydrophilic molecules and require specialized membrane transporters for entry into cells. Intracellular enzymes, such as deoxycytidine kinase, convert these drugs to active metabolites by phosphorylation. 

Their antiproliferative effect is achieved by binding to DNA, leading to chain termination and inhibition of DNA synthesis. Structural changes of these metabolites may occur in the pyrimidine ring.

DRUG: 5-FLUOROURACIL

5-Fluorouracil was developed in 1957.

5-Fluorouracil was utilized for a variety of dermatologic and neoplastic disorders and identified as early as 1962 as a promising treatment for keratoacanthomas, actinic keratosis, and skin cancer.

5-Fluorouracil’s selective cytotoxicity and minimal effect on normal skin cells make it a promising therapeutic option for many dermatologic conditions.