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Cancer Chemotherapy Quiz
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Which class of chemotherapy drugs specifically targets microtubule function during mitosis?
- A Platinum compounds such as cisplatin You picked ✕
- B Vinca alkaloids such as vincristine You picked ✓
- C Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin You picked ✕
- D Antimetabolites such as methotrexate You picked ✕
- E Alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide You picked ✕
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Incorrect
The answer is B: Vinca alkaloids such as vincristine
Explanation
Why B is correct
See The Cell Cycle and Chemotherapy. Option B is correct. The cell cycle has four active phases, G1, S, G2 and M, plus a resting phase called G0. In S phase the cell copies its DNA, and in M phase (mitosis) it divides. To divide, the cell builds a mitotic spindle from microtubules (hollow protein tubes made of tubulin), which pulls the copied chromosomes into the two new cells. Vinca alkaloids such as vincristine and vinblastine inhibit microtubule polymerisation, so the spindle cannot form and the cell is stuck in mitosis, which leads to apoptosis (programmed cell death). They are therefore M-phase specific, as are the taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) that act on the same structures in the opposite way. Antimetabolites are S-phase specific, whereas alkylating agents, platinum compounds, anthracyclines and topoisomerase inhibitors are phase non-specific. Resting G0 cells are not killed by most chemotherapy, which is one reason cancers can relapse. A memory aid is that M is for microtubules, mitosis and the vinca alkaloids.
- Cell cycle: Four active phases, G1, S, G2 and M, plus a resting phase called G0.
- Vinca alkaloids: Inhibit microtubule polymerisation, so the spindle cannot form and the cell is stuck in mitosis.
- Phase specificity: Vinca alkaloids and taxanes are M-phase specific, whereas antimetabolites are S-phase specific.
- Resting cells: G0 cells are not killed by most chemotherapy, which is one reason cancers relapse.
Why the other options are incorrect
- A. Platinum compounds such as cisplatin: Platinum compounds such as cisplatin cross-link DNA and are also not phase specific. They damage DNA rather than disrupting the spindle. Your answer
- C. Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin: Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin intercalate into DNA and inhibit topoisomerase II, acting at any phase of the cell cycle. They do not target microtubule function in mitosis. Your answer
- D. Antimetabolites such as methotrexate: Antimetabolites such as methotrexate interfere with DNA building blocks, so they act mainly in S phase when DNA is being copied. They do not act on the mitotic spindle. Your answer
- E. Alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide: Alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide damage DNA at any point in the cell cycle, so they are not phase specific. They do not target the microtubules. Your answer
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More questions from this set. Start the quiz to answer them and see each explanation.
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1
Which chemotherapy drug is classically associated with haemorrhagic cystitis that can be prevented by co-administration of mesna?
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2
A 52-year-old woman undergoes surgical resection of a stage II colon cancer. Histology confirms clear margins and no distant metastases are seen on imaging. She is offered a course of chemotherapy to reduce the risk of future recurrence from undetected microscopic disease. Which term best describes the aim of this chemotherapy?
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