Cancer Medications: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a common mechanism of action for cancer drugs?

Accepted Answer

Enhancement of drug efflux

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Answer

Disruption of cell division

Answer

Activation of immune cells

Question 2

Which class of cancer drugs specifically targets microtubule formation and disrupts cell division?

Accepted Answer

Taxanes

Answer

Antimetabolites

Answer

Alkylating agents

Answer

Platins

Question 3

Which of the following statements about 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

It is a thymidylate synthase inhibitor that interferes with DNA synthesis

Answer

It is administered orally as a tablet or capsule

Answer

It is commonly used to treat melanoma

Answer

It is a bioreductive drug that requires activation by enzymes in hypoxic tumor cells

Question 4

Which of the following drugs is a monoclonal antibody used in cancer immunotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Answer

Methotrexate

Answer

Tamoxifen

Answer

Doxorubicin

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of using cytotoxic drugs in cancer therapy?

Accepted Answer

To kill cancer cells directly by damaging their DNA or disrupting cell division

Answer

To induce apoptosis (programmed cell death)

Answer

To inhibit angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels that supply cancer cells)

Answer

To enhance immune function

Question 6

What is the specific mechanism of action of angiogenesis inhibitors in cancer treatment?

Accepted Answer

To block the formation of new blood vessels that supply cancer cells with nutrients and oxygen

Answer

To stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells

Answer

To directly kill cancer cells

Answer

To prevent metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body)

Question 7

Which of the following classes of cancer drugs targets microtubules?

Accepted Answer

Vinca alkaloids

Answer

Anthracyclines

Answer

Topoisomerase inhibitors

Answer

Alkylating agents

Question 8

Which of the following is a major side effect of methotrexate?

Accepted Answer

Myelosuppression

Answer

Cardiotoxicity

Answer

Neurotoxicity

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Question 9

Which of the following is a monoclonal antibody used in cancer treatment?

Accepted Answer

Trastuzumab

Answer

Tamoxifen

Answer

Methotrexate

Answer

Cisplatin

Question 10

What is the principle of targeted cancer therapy?

Accepted Answer

Using drugs that specifically bind to cancer cells

Answer

Using drugs that have a broad spectrum of activity

Answer

Using drugs that are highly cytotoxic

Answer

Using drugs that are well-tolerated

Question 11

What is the primary role of angiogenesis inhibitors in cancer treatment?

Accepted Answer

To inhibit the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors

Answer

To stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells

Answer

To promote cell death in cancer cells

Answer

To reduce inflammation in the tumor microenvironment

Question 12

What is the overarching goal of personalized medicine in cancer treatment?

Accepted Answer

To tailor treatment to the unique characteristics of each patient's cancer

Answer

To reduce the cost of cancer care

Answer

To improve patient outcomes

Answer

To eliminate the need for surgery

Question 13

How does personalized medicine impact cancer chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Tailoring treatment plans to individual patient characteristics

Answer

Exclusively minimizing side effects of cancer drugs

Answer

Only applicable to certain cancer types

Question 14

In cancer chemotherapy, what is the primary reason for combining multiple drugs?

Accepted Answer

Overcoming drug resistance and enhancing overall cytotoxicity

Answer

Reducing side effects of individual drugs

Answer

Preventing the formation of new tumors

Answer

Improving patient adherence to treatment plans

Question 15

Discuss the ethical implications of using cytotoxic drugs that have the potential to cause severe and life-threatening adverse effects.

Accepted Answer

The ethical use of cytotoxic drugs requires a careful consideration of the balance between their potential benefits and risks.

Answer

The use of cytotoxic drugs is ethically justifiable because they offer a chance of prolonging life.

Answer

Cytotoxic drugs should never be used, regardless of their potential benefits.

Question 16

Outline the essential stages in the regulatory approval process for novel cancer drugs.

Accepted Answer

Preclinical research, followed by clinical trials (Phases I, II, III), and finally regulatory review.

Answer

Clinical trials are not essential for cancer drug approval, as their safety and efficacy can be determined through preclinical studies.

Answer

Regulatory approval is usually granted promptly after submission, given the urgent need for new cancer treatments.

Answer

Once approved, cancer drugs are not subject to any further regulatory monitoring.

Question 17

Which of the following is **NOT** a primary target of cancer drugs?

Accepted Answer

Normal cells

Answer

Vasculature

Answer

Immune cells

Answer

Tumor cells

Question 18

Which of the following is **NOT** a common mechanism of action employed by cancer drugs?

Accepted Answer

Activation of tumor suppressor genes

Answer

Inhibition of angiogenesis

Answer

Induction of apoptosis

Question 19

Which class of cancer drugs primarily targets DNA synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Antimetabolites

Answer

Alkylating agents

Answer

Topoisomerase inhibitors

Question 20

When selecting a cancer drug regimen, which factor is of utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Patient-specific characteristics

Answer

Availability of the drug

Answer

Cost of treatment

Answer

Recommended guidelines

Question 21

Which of the following is a monoclonal antibody used in cancer immunotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Trastuzumab

Answer

Tamoxifen

Answer

Imatinib

Answer

Sorafenib

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of action of cancer drugs?

Accepted Answer

Enhancement of tumor cell differentiation

Answer

Inhibition of angiogenesis

Answer

Induction of apoptosis

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Question 23

Which class of cancer drugs targets microtubules?

Accepted Answer

Taxanes

Answer

Topoisomerase inhibitors

Answer

Antimetabolites

Answer

Platinum compounds

Question 24

Which of the following is a common side effect of methotrexate?

Accepted Answer

Myelosuppression

Answer

Gastrointestinal toxicity

Answer

Cardiotoxicity

Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Question 25

Which of the following factors is NOT considered in the development of new cancer drugs?

Accepted Answer

Cost of production

Answer

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Answer

Mechanism of action

Question 26

Which of the following is a challenge in the use of targeted therapies for cancer?

Accepted Answer

Development of drug resistance

Answer

Limited availability

Answer

Low specificity

Answer

High cost

Question 27

Which of the following statements about immunotherapy for cancer is true?

Accepted Answer

It involves enhancing the body's own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Answer

It targets specific genetic mutations in cancer cells.

Answer

It has no side effects.

Question 28

Which of the following is a potential benefit of personalized medicine in cancer treatment?

Accepted Answer

Tailored treatment regimens based on individual patient characteristics.

Answer

Elimination of side effects

Answer

Reduced overall treatment costs

Question 29

Which of the following is a type of clinical trial phase?

Accepted Answer

Phase III

Answer

Phase IV

Answer

Phase 0

Answer

Phase V

Question 30

Which of the following organizations is responsible for regulating cancer drugs in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Answer

Cancer Research UK

Answer

National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI)

Question 31

Which of the following is an ethical consideration in cancer drug development?

Accepted Answer

Balancing risks and benefits for patients

Answer

Maximizing profits for pharmaceutical companies

Answer

Ensuring animal welfare

Answer

Protecting intellectual property