Introduction to Medical Oncology
Biologic Therapies

Biologic Therapies

 

 

The immunomodularity and pro-apoptotic effects of some cytokines (interferons, interleukins) can be exploited therapeutically in some maliganacies, for example: malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and chronic myeloid leukemia.

 

 

 

Review Questions

1.Cytotoxics target DNA (direct toxicity, interference with replication and synthesis) and the process of cell division. Each cytotoxics has a unique mechanism of action.
True     False
2.The optimal timing of repeat doses for individual drug depends on whether it is cell cycle phase specific and the normal tissue toxicity of drug and its recovery period.
True     False
3.Cytotoxic efficacy is most dependent on how the agent is given.
True     False
4.25% of cancer patients will develop metastasis.
True     False
5.Radiation, cytotoxic agents, endocrine/hormonal, immunotherapy, targeted ’non-cytotoxic’ therapy are all examples of systemic treatment.
True     False
6.Systemic therapy targets a specific body system.
True     False
7.primary or induction treatment is treatment given when disease has possibly disseminated beyond the scope of local treatment and when there is a high risk of recurrence with local treatment alone.
True     False

Image
the death of a cancer cell
Dr. Raowf Guirguis. National Cancer Institute, Susan Arnold (photographer), October 1988