IMMUNE-PHARMACOLOGY-PART-IV-...CONTINUED...

A.ALKYLATING AGENTS-CONTD...

The anti-cancer drugs, the alkylating agents are continued to be posted here as there are some important drugs are remained in this category.

Triazenes:-

i)Dacarbazine:-DTIC-(Dimethyl Triazeno Imidazole Carboxamide)

Dacarbazine is one of the alkylating anticancer drugs that belong to the triazene derivatives.

 The mechanisms of action are inhibiting the DNA and RNA synthesis by the formation of an alkyl(methyl) carbonium ion which is toxic to DNA.

Uses:-

1.Malignant Melanoma

2.Hodkin's Lymphoma

3.Soft tissues sarcoma

Side effects:-

1.Nausea and Vomiting

2.Liver damage

3.Bone marrow suppression 

ii)Procarbazine:-

Procarbazine forms free alkyl radicals through hydrogen peroxide and these free radicals in turn damage DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.

Uses:-

Treatment of Hodkin's Disease.

Side effects:-

1.Nausea and vomiting

2.Myelosuppression

3.Leukemogenic

Contraindications:-

It should not be used in pregnancy and lactation as it is highly teratogenic.

Platinum Coordination Complexes:-

i)Cisplatin:-

This drug act by forming cross-links with the DNA strands and thereby inhibit its synthesis.

Uses:-

1.Testicular cancers

2.Ovarian Cancers

3.Bladder cancers

4.Head and Neck cancers

5.Lung cancers

6.Thyroid Cancers

7.Cervical cancers

8.Endometrial(Uterine)cancers

9.Neuroblastoma-A nerve cancer that develops from the immature neuronal cells of the fetus. It forms as extracranial solid cancer attacking mostly infants and babies

10.Osteogenic(Bone)sarcoma.

Side effects:-

1.Kidney damage - that can be controlled by aggressive hydration and mannitol.

2.Ototoxicity-Ear damage

3.Paresthesias-An abnormal tingling or pricking sensation.

ii)Carboplatin

The mechanism of action is similar to cisplatin.

Uses:-

Same uses of cisplatin

Side effects:-

1.Bone marrow suppression

2.Anemia