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The chemotherapeutic DNA alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustards are effective because they:
Suggested Answer: A
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Alkylating agents are highly reactive chemicals that introduce alkyl radicals into biologically active molecules
and thereby prevent their proper functioning, replication, and transcription. Choice 2 is incorrect because alkylating
agents have numerous side effects including alopecia, nausea, vomiting, and myelosuppression. Choice 3 is incorrect because nitrogen mustards have a broad spectrum of activity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and breast and ovarian cancer, but they are effective chemotherapeutic agents because of DNA crosslinkage. Choice 4 is incorrect because alkylating agents are non-cell-cycle-specific agents.PharmacologicalTherapies
34 comments · newest first
RO
Rozella
10 months ago
Wait, are they really effective for all cancer types?
TA
Tamekia
10 months ago
I thought they had more side effects though?
DE
Delbert
10 months ago
Totally agree, A is the right answer!
KE
Kenia
10 months ago
D seems off, aren't they more effective in specific phases?
MA
Matthew
10 months ago
A is correct! They really do cross-link DNA.
CO
Corinne
11 months ago
I thought they were cell-cycle-specific, but I remember some agents are not, so I'm a bit confused about that part.
IN
India
11 months ago
I feel like they might be used for multiple cancers, but I can't recall if that's the main reason they're effective.
RE
Reita
11 months ago
I think the answer is A because we discussed how cross-linking can prevent DNA replication in our last review session.
CY
Cyndy
11 months ago
I remember that nitrogen mustards work by forming covalent bonds with DNA, but I'm not entirely sure if it's specifically with guanine.
KR
Kristel
12 months ago
The key here is that nitrogen mustards are cross-linking the DNA strands, which disrupts the DNA structure and is effective in treating cancer. I feel pretty good about this one.
JE
Jesus
12 months ago
I'm a bit confused on this one. I know nitrogen mustards are DNA alkylating agents, but I'm not sure about the specifics of how they work. I'll have to review my notes and try to remember the details.
MI
Mireya
12 months ago
Okay, I think I've got it. Nitrogen mustards are effective because they form covalent bonds between the alkyl groups on the drug and the guanine bases on the DNA, creating cross-links that disrupt the DNA structure. That's why they're effective as chemotherapeutic agents.
LA
Lashanda
1 year ago
Hmm, I'm a little unsure about this. I know nitrogen mustards are used in chemotherapy, but I can't quite remember the specific mechanism of how they work. I'll have to think this through carefully.
HO
Hollis
1 year ago
I'm pretty confident about this one. The key is that nitrogen mustards are DNA alkylating agents, so they must be cross-linking DNA strands to be effective.
WE
Weldon
1 year ago
A is the clear winner here. Alkylating the DNA is their main mode of action in killing cancer cells.
SH
Shawn
1 year ago
Yes, that's why option A is the correct answer.
AL
Alita
1 year ago
That's right, the alkylating agents work by forming covalent bonds with DNA.
VE
Veta
1 year ago
A) cross-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.
GU
Gussie
1 year ago
Haha, B is a good one. 'Few, if any, side effects' - yeah, right! These chemotherapies are notorious for their nasty side effects.
EL
Eloisa
1 year ago
C) are used to treat multiple types of cancer.
GI
Gianna
1 year ago
A) cross-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.
LE
Lera
1 year ago
Definitely A. Crosslinking DNA is the key mechanism of action for these alkylating agents.
DO
Dominga
1 year ago
Definitely A. Crosslinking DNA is the key mechanism of action for these alkylating agents.
SU
Sunny
1 year ago
A) cross-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.
AN
Angelica
1 year ago
I think A is the right answer. The ability to form covalent bonds with DNA is what makes these agents potent against cancer cells.
MO
Mollie
1 year ago
Yes, A is the right choice. The alkylating agents work by forming covalent bonds with DNA, leading to cell death.
DO
Dorothy
1 year ago
I think it's A too. The cross-linking of DNA strands is what causes damage to the cancer cells.
VE
Veronika
1 year ago
I agree, A is the correct answer. The covalent bonds with DNA are crucial for their effectiveness.
RE
Rebbeca
1 year ago
I'm not sure, but I think A makes sense based on what we learned in class.
TA
Tawna
1 year ago
I agree with Alfreda, because cross-linking DNA strands can prevent cell division.
PA
Patria
1 year ago
The correct answer is A. The alkylating agents cross-link DNA strands, which is why they are effective in chemotherapy.
SE
Selene
1 year ago
The alkylating agents cross-link DNA strands, which is why they are effective in chemotherapy.
GI
Giuseppe
1 year ago
A) cross-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.
AL
Alfreda
1 year ago
I think the answer is A.