CLASSIFICATION OF CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC

AGENTS
DRUG CLASS AND EXAMPLE MECHANISM OF CELL CYLCE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
ACTION SPECIFICITY

ALKYLATING AGENTS

Busulfan, carboplatin,chlorambucil, Alter DNA Cell cycle- Bone marrow suppression,

Cisplatin, structure by misreading nonspecific Nausea,vomiting,cystitis
Cyclophosphamide, DNA code, initiating (cyclophosphamide,ifosfamide)
dacarbazine,hexamethyl breaks in the DNA stomatitis,alopecia,gonadal
melamine,ifosfamide, molecule, cross-linking suppression,renal
melphalan,nitrogen DNA strands. toxicity(cisplatin)
mustard, thiotepa

NITROSUREAS

Carmustine(BCNU), Similar to the Cell cycle- Delayed and cumulative

Lomustine(CCNU), alkylating agents;cross nonspecific myelo-suppression,especially
Semustine(methyl the blood-brain barrier thrombocytopenia;nausea,
CCNU),Streptozocin Vomiting

TOPOISOMERASE I
INHIBITORS

Irinotican,tropotecan Induce breaks in the Cell cycle- Bone marrow

DNA strands by specific suppression,diarrhea,nausea,
binding to enzyme Vomiting,hepatotoxicity
topoisomerase
I,preventing cells from
dividing

ANTIMETABOLITES

5-Azacytadine, Interfere with the Cell cycle- Nausea,vomiting,

cytarabine,fludarabine, biosynthesis of specific
5-flourouracil(5-FU), FUDR, metabolites or nucleic (s phase)
gemcitabine,hydroxyurea, acids necessary for
leustatin,6-mercaptopurine,metho RNA and DNA
trexate,pentostatin,6-thioguanine synthesis
diarrhea, bone marrow
suppression,proctitis,
stomatitis,renal
toxicity(methotrexate),
hepatotoxicity
ANTITUMOR
ANTIBIOTICS

Bleomycin,dactinomycin, Interfere with DNA Cell cycle- Bone marrow suppression,

Daunorubicin,doxorubicin, synthesis nonspecific nausea,vomiting,alopecia,
(adriamycin),idarubicin, By binding anorexia,cardiac toxicity
mitomycin,mitoxantrone, DNA;prevent RNA (daunorubicin,doxorubicin)
plicamycin synthesis

MITOTIC SPINDLE POISONS

Plant alkaloids:etoposide, Arrest metaphase by Cell cycle- Bone marrow suppression(mild

teniposide,vinblastine, inhibiting mitotic specific with VCR),neuropathies(VCR),
Vincristine(VCR),vindesine, tubular (M phase) Stomatitis
Vinorelbine, formation(spindle);
Inhibit DNA and
protein synthesis
Bradycardia, hypersensitivity
Taxanes:paclitaxel,docetaxel Arrest metaphase by Cell cycle- reactions,bone marrow
inhibiting tubulin spcific suppression,alopecia,
depolymerization (M phase) neuropathies
HORMONAL AGENTS

Androgens and Bind to hormone Cell cycle- Hypercalcemia,jaundice,

antiandrogens,estrogens an receptor sites that alter nonspecific increased appetite,
antiestrogens,progestines and cellular growth;block Masculinization,
antiprogestines,aromatase binding of estrogens o feminization,sodium and fluid
inhibitors,luteinizing hormone- receptor retention,nausea, vomiting,hot
releasing hormone analogs,steroids sites(antiestrogens); flashes, vaginal dryness
Inhibit RNA
synthesis;suppress
aromatase of P450
system,which
decreases estrogen
level
MISCELLANEOUS AGENTS

Asparaginase,procarbazine Unknown or too Varies Anorexia,nausea,vomiting,

complex to categorize Bone marrow suppression,
Hepatotoxicity,altered
Glucose metabolism