PCOL3011 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Haber Process, Methotrexate, Fritz Haber
Document Summary
Traditional chemotherapy targets dividing cells: non-cancer cells however are also dividing. Typical adverse effects: alopecia, diarrhoea, git ulceration, bone marrow suppression. Newer targets known mutations (mabs & nibs: vegf-a bevacizumab several cancers, braf (v600e) vemurafenib melanoma, mek trametinib melanoma (v600 mutations +) Causes of cancer: environmental exposure (ionising radiation, uv (sunlight), radon, chemical carcinogens (benzene, azo dyes, asbestos, perfume, viruses (hepatitis (b & c), hiv, hpb) Source of ionising radiation: figure 25 1 percent contribution of total effective dose to individuals. Cancer chemotherapy: cancer cells, characterized by defect in control mechanisms governing cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation, multiple genetic mutations required to convert to cancer cells, several signalling pathways dysregulated. Cancer vocabulary: carcinoma: malignant growth of epithelial origin, sarcoma: malignant growth arising from muscle or connective tissue, anaplasia: loss of structure and function. Types of cancer chemotherapy agents: alkylating agents. Descendants of mustard gas: readily form covalent bonds with bases in dna (esp.