Gemzar
|
|
Generic name.
Gemcitabine
|
| Family.
anti-metabolites
|
| Source.
Synthetic
|
| Mechanism of
action.
Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy related to the
anti-metabolite drugs family. DNA is the
genetic code found in each cell. DNA is
composed of nucleotides. DNA nucleotides are
composed of purines (adenine, guanine) and
pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine). Gemcitabine
is a pyrimidine analog that enters the DNA
and disturbs its synthesis thus contributing
to tumor cell lethality.
|
| Cancer
treatment.
Pancreatic cancer, lung
cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer
|
Side effects.
-
Decrease
in blood cells count: anemia
→ weakness; neutropenia
→ infections;
thrombocytopenia
→ bleeding.
-
Lung
toxicity: dyspnea (difficulty
breathing), interstitial pneumonitis.
-
Skin
rash.
-
Elevation
in liver enzymes.
|
|
Administration.
Intravenous
|
|
Another information.
Causes alopecia in
about 15% of patients.
|
References.
-
Hidalgo M.
Pancreatic cancer. N Engl J Med.
362:1605-1617 (2010).
To read this article press here.
-
Schiller JH. et al.
Comparison of four chemotherapy regimens
for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
N Engl J Med. 346: 92-98 (2002).
To read this article press here.
|
