Cancer is the second-most deadly disease in the world, which can contribute to the death of many people. India ranked third place in cancer cases after China and America. Every year, there is a rise in cancer cases, which brings a fear of death. But, thanks to anticancer medicines, which have become a ray of hope for thousands of cancer patients who are fighting their own battle against cancer. Today, we will discover anticancer medications and type in this article.
What is an anticancer medication?
Anticancer medications are like soldiers in the body's army, fighting against the harmful effects of cancerous cells. Their job is to slow down the growth of these cells and help the body in its battle against cancer. People often call these medications anti-neoplastic drugs.
Type Of Anticancer Medications
1. Alkylation agents:
This type of anticancer medicine effectively slows down the process of DNS turning into the RNA which in turn can aid prevent the growth of cancer cells in the body. Some of the examples of alkylating agents that are used to treat cancer are carboplatin, cisplatin, and oxaliplatin. They used to treat breast, lung,ovarian, and blood cancer in patients.
2. Antimetabolites:
Antimetabolite drugs help to prevent the growth and replication of cancer cells in the body. Anticancer medications like azacitidine, 5-fluorouracil (5FU-GLS 500mg Injection), 6-mercaptopurine, capecitabine, Olaparib (PARP inhibitor-Lynparza 150mg Tablet), cladribine, gemcitabine (Shilgem 1gm injection), hydroxyurea and methotrexate are effective in treating the kill the cancer cells.
These medications are prescribed to help individuals battling cancer affecting areas such as the breast, ovaries, head and neck, as well as the anal and colon regions.
3. Natural products
Sometimes anticancer medication can be prepared from plants, and its derivatives have antitumor properties, which involve treating the cancer in individuals. They might differ in their name based on the enzyme in which they exceed its therapeutic effect. Drugs like mitotic inhibitors and topoisomerase inhibitors are effective in treating cancer by blocking the enzyme reaction, which aids in the growth of cancer cells. These drugs are used to treat lung, ovarian, gastrointestinal, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer in patients.
4. Hormones and antagonists:
They are the synthetic form of natural hormones that are involved in treating cancer formation. Sometimes, they are involved in blocking the section of certain hormones, which is involved in the growth of cancer. They are involved in treating the cancer, which was caused by hormonal problems like prostate and breast cancer. Drugs like aromatase inhibitors, estrogen, estrogen receptor antagonists, and tamoxifen are examples of hormone and antagonist anticancer medication.
Side effects:
5. Miscellaneous:
Some anticancer drugs do not fall in any category which are placed in the miscellaneous category of drugs. Miscellaneous drugs can invovle in preventing the growth and dividion of cancer cells. Some of the drugs are isotretinoin, abiraterone, venetoclax, and bexarotene are examples of miscellaneous anticancer medicine.
What are the common side effects of anticancer medication?
Anticancer medicines may cause the following side effects which are given below:
- Constipation: Individuals may experience problems excreting the stool due to changes in bowel movements.
- Nausea or vomiting: Individuals may experience vomiting or through-up of the stomach content from the mouth.
- Alopecia: Individuals may experience unusual hair loss due to the anticancer medications.
- Haematological changes: Patients may experience blood disorders like decreased WBC which can increase the risk of infection.
Always remember that the above-mentioned side effects may vary based on the type of cancer and the medicine used to treat it.
Anticancer medicines are a savior for most cancer patients. Your doctor may address you with appropriate cancer treatment based on the health condition, type and stage of cancers. Further research and development are helpful in reducing the cancer medication to use anticancer drugs in a more safer form.
