What is the mechanism of action for Hydroxyurea? What is the phase for the Hydroxyurea action? What is the limiting toxicity of hydroxyurea? What is the hope for the future with cancer drugs?? What are Smart Drugs? What is a monoclonal antibody? what is the prototype monoclonal antibody? What are the indications for Rituximab? What is the mechanism of action of Rituximab? What are the adverse effects of Rituximab?

1. What is the mechanism of action for Hydroxyurea?

inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, necessary for DNA synthesis

2. What is the phase for the Hydroxyurea action?

S phase specific and hold cells in G1 phase

3. What is the limiting toxicity of hydroxyurea?

Leukopenia (lack of WBC) is limiting toxicity

4. What is the hope for the future with cancer drugs??

the molecular machinery for cell division is just being worked out now, new drugs are being developed as a specific cell division blockers and programmed cell death, or to block the blood vessels needs to maintain the tumor

5. What are Smart Drugs?

specifically target and kill cancer cells and tumor with fewer side effects, but more effective when used with other cancer drugs (which can be used in lower dose)

6. What is a monoclonal antibody?

product of a single cell fused with a cancer cell line, so that all daughter cells produce copies of exactly the same antibody molecule

7. what is the prototype monoclonal antibody?

Rituximab

8. What are the indications for Rituximab?

CD20 and B cell non-hodgkin lymphoma -- mouse protein given as slow IV drip

9. What is the mechanism of action of Rituximab?

binds to Cd20 antigen on abnormal B-cells activates complement cascade and lysis

10. What are the adverse effects of Rituximab?

respiratory distress and hypotension, infusion related fevers and chills, use birth control one year after use and avoid breast feeding