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Chemotherapy works by killing dividing cells. Cell division is preceded by duplication and recombination of DNA. During this process chemotherapy may introduce errors into the DNA of tumor cells and lead to their death. Chemotherapy injury can be caused by several mechanisms: the cells may not be able to complete DNA recombination or might end up missing a part of the DNA that is crucial to continued life and function, the cells may become unable to further divide and produce progeny, or may become quiescent. The damage to the DNA, which controls all of cell function and structure, may cause the cancer cell to become nonviable and susceptible to damage by the normal stress of daily functioning. In addition, a recently identified mechanism called apoptosis, which is analogous to normal aging, may be triggered by chemotherapy, leading to cell death. Chemotherapy can also affect production of hormones or cytokines retarding or preventing tumor growth. Anticancer drugs are classified into several families based on their origin or their activity. These families include the alkylating agents, antimetabolites and natural products that have anticancer activity. The first documented clinical use of chemotherapy was in 1942 when the alkylating agent nitrogen mustard was used to obtain a brief clinical remission in a patient with lymphoma. There are currently over 40 chemotherapeutic agents licensed for use in North America.
HealthCare in Arizona , Prostate Cancer Library
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Martha's Helping Angels projec
