What Drugs Are Used in Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a common form of cancer treatment that utilizes chemicals that destroy cancer cells or inhibit cell growth. Various types of drugs are used in chemotherapy treatments and are divided into different groups depending on how they fight cancer cells, their chemical make up and how they react to other drugs. The various groups of chemotherapy drugs also work better at fighting certain forms of cancer at different stages.

Alkylating Agents

• The American Cancer Society defines alkylating agents as drugs used in chemotherapy that destroy DNA that causes cancer cells to reproduce. They are used to treat chronic lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, breast, ovarian and lung cancers. These agents include nitrogen mustards, nitrosoureas, alkyl sulfonates, triazines and ethylenimines.

Antimetabolites

• Antimetabolites obstruct the growth of DNA and RNA by replacing the normal building blocks for DNA and RNA. These drugs are used in chemotherapy to treat leukemia, breast tumors, ovaries and the intestinal tract. They include methotrexate, gemcitabine and pemetrexed.

Anti-tumor Antibiotics

• The American Cancer Society says that anti-tumor antibiotics such as anthracyclines interfere with enzymes used in DNA replication and are used in chemotherapy treatment for different types of cancer in various phases. However, these chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent heart damage when large doses are used.

Topoisomerase Inhibitors

• Topoisomerase inhibitors are drugs used in chemotherapy to divide DNA strands to prepare them for replication. This category includes topotecan and irinotecan and is used to treat certain leukemias, lung, ovarian and gastrointestinal cancers.

Mitotic Inhibitors

• The American Cancer Society says that mitotic inhibitors are chemotherapy drugs derived from plant alkaloids or other natural compounds. They restrict proteins that reproduce cells. These drugs are used in chemotherapy treatments for people with breast, lung, and lymphoma cancers and include taxanes, epothilones, estramustine and vinca alkaloids.

Corticosteroids

• Corticosteroids are drugs used in chemotherapy that contain natural steroids that kill or slow down cancer cell growth. They treat cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. Common forms of this drug include prednisone, methylprednisolone and dexamethasone.