Cytotoxic drugs are a group of drugs whose action is aimed at inhibiting or inhibiting the processes of pathological cell division and the growth of connective tissues.
When are cytostatics prescribed?
The main area of application of the drugs in question is the treatment of malignant tumors that are characterized by intense uncontrolled cell division (cancer, leukemia , lymphomas, etc.).
To a lesser extent, the effects of drugs in this group are subject to normal rapidly dividing cells of the bone marrow, skin, mucous membranes, epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract. This allows the use of cytostatics also in autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus nephritis, Goodpasture's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.).
As part of complex therapy, cytotoxic drugs can be administered orally in the form of tablets, capsules, or as injections (intravenous, intra-arterial, intraluminal, intravitreal). The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the severity of the disease, the effectiveness and tolerability of the drug.
List of cytotoxic drugs
Cytostatics are classified for the purpose of ordering, and this classification is conditional, because many drugs belonging to the same group have a unique mechanism of action and are effective against completely different forms of malignant tumors. Here is the main list of names of cytotoxic drugs:
1. Alkylating drugs:
- alkylsulfonates (Busulfan, Treosulfan);
- ethylenimines (Thiotepa);
- derivatives of nitrosoureas (Nimustine, Lomustine, Carmustine, Mystophoran, Streptozotocin);
- chloroethylamines (Chlorambucil, Ifosfamide, Bendamustine, Cyclophosphamide, Melphalan, Trophosphamide).
2. Alkaloids of plant origin:
- podophyllotoxins (Teniposide, Etoposide);
- taxanes (docetaxel, paclitaxel);
- vinaalkaloids (Vindesin, Vincristine, Vinblastine, Vinorelbine).
3. Antimetabolites:
- antagonists of folic acid (Ralitrexed, Methotrexate);
- Purine antagonists (Cladribine, Fludarabine, Pentostatin, Thioguanine);
- antagonists of pyrimidine (cytarabine, capecitabine, gemcitabine, fluorouracil).
4. Antibiotics with antitumor activity:
- anthracyclines (Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin, Epirubicin, Idarubicin, Mitoxantrone);
- other antitumoral antibiotics (mitomycin, bleomycin, plikamycin, dactinomycin).
5. Other cytostatics:
- derivatives of camptothecin (Irinotecan, Topotecan);
- derivatives of platinum (Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Oxaliplatin);
- others (Temozolomide, Altrethamine, Estramustine, Amsacrine, L-asparaginase, Dacarbazine, Hydroxycarbamide, Procarbazine).
6. Monoclonal antibodies (Trastuzumab, Ederkolomab, Rituximab).
7. Cytostatic hormones:
- antiandrogens (cyproterone acetate, bicalutamide, flutamide);
- progestins (Medroxyprogesterone acetate, Megestrol acetate);
- estrogens (Polyestradiol, Phosphastrol);
- antiestrogens (Toremifene, Tamoxifen, Droloxifene);
- aromatase inhibitors (Anastrozol, Formestan, Exemestane).
- LH-RH agonists (Gocerelin, Buserelin, Leiprolein acetate, Tryptorelin).
Cytotoxic agents for pancreatitis
In severe disease, cytostatics (eg, fluorouracil) can be used for treatment. The mechanism of action of these drugs is associated with their ability to inhibit the excretory function of pancreatic cells.
Side Effects of Cytostatics
Typical side effects in the treatment of cytostatics are:
- hair loss;
- diarrhea;
- anorexia ;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- headache;
- muscle weakness;
- violation of the menstrual cycle;
- infertility;
- development of leukemia, etc.