Etoposide

Definition

Etoposide is a chemotherapeutic agent primarily used in the treatment of various cancers, including testicular cancer and small cell lung cancer. It works by inhibiting the enzyme topoisomerase II, which is essential for DNA replication, leading to DNA damage and ultimately cell death in rapidly dividing cancer cells.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Etoposide is derived from the natural product podophyllotoxin, originally obtained from the mayapple plant.
2. It is commonly administered intravenously or orally, with the dosage often adjusted based on the patient's body surface area.
3. Common side effects include low blood cell counts, nausea, vomiting, and increased risk of infection due to bone marrow suppression.
4. Etoposide is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to enhance its effectiveness against tumors.
5. Resistance to etoposide can develop in some cancer cells, making it important for oncologists to monitor treatment response and adjust therapy as necessary.

Review Questions

• How does etoposide's mechanism of action affect cancer cell proliferation?
  • Etoposide targets topoisomerase II, an enzyme crucial for DNA replication. By inhibiting this enzyme, etoposide prevents proper DNA unwinding and separation, leading to DNA breaks. These breaks can trigger cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells, ultimately reducing tumor growth.
• Discuss the implications of etoposide's side effects on patient care during chemotherapy treatment.
  • The side effects of etoposide, such as low blood cell counts and increased risk of infection, necessitate careful monitoring of patients during treatment. Healthcare providers must assess blood counts regularly and may need to adjust dosages or implement supportive care measures. Effective management of these side effects is crucial for maintaining patient quality of life and ensuring treatment adherence.
• Evaluate the significance of drug resistance in the context of etoposide treatment strategies for cancer patients.
  • Drug resistance poses a major challenge in the effectiveness of etoposide as a chemotherapy agent. Over time, some cancer cells may adapt and become less sensitive to etoposide, diminishing its therapeutic impact. This resistance highlights the importance of personalized treatment strategies, where oncologists must consider alternative therapies or combination treatments that can overcome resistance mechanisms and enhance overall treatment efficacy.

Related terms

Topoisomerase: An enzyme that helps manage DNA tangles during replication by making temporary cuts in the DNA strands, allowing them to unwind and separate.

Chemotherapy: A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, often affecting rapidly dividing cells.

Apoptosis: The process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms, which can be induced by certain chemotherapeutic agents like etoposide.