How does chemotherapy affect the cell cycle?
How does chemotherapy affect the cell cycle?
The faster that cancer cells divide, the more likely it is that chemotherapy will kill the cells, causing the tumor to shrink. They also induce cell suicide (self-death or apoptosis). Chemotherapy drugs that kill cancer cells only when they are dividing are called cell-cycle specific.
Which phase of the cell cycle is most affected by chemotherapy?
By contrast, the S phase is the synthetic phase of the cell cycle. DNA replication is most active in this phase and many chemotherapy agents work in this phase. G 2 represents a time when mostly RNA (and some protein) is actively produced.
What does Taxol do to the cell cycle?
Taxol is an anti-mitotic agent that binds to microtubules and stabilizes them against depolymerization; therefore, Taxol inhibits cell replication by disrupting normal mitotic spindle formation and arresting cell growth in the M phase of the cell cycle [12-14].
Why is chemo given in cycles?
In general, chemotherapy treatment is given in cycles. This allows the cancer cells to be attacked at their most vulnerable times, and allows the body’s normal cells time to recover from the damage.
What happens to dead cells after chemo?
Researchers from Harvard Medical School, Boston, and the Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, have discovered that the remains of tumor cells killed by chemotherapy or other cancer treatments can actually stimulate tumor growth by inducing an inflammatory reaction.
What does taxol do to your body?
Taxol (paclitaxel) is a cancer chemotherapy medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body and is used to treat breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer. Taxol is also used to treat AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma.
How do you deal with taxol side effects?
Taxol causes little nausea. But if you should experience nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small frequent meals. Sucking on lozenges and chewing gum may also help. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help relieve discomfort from fever, headache and/or generalized aches and pains.
What is the longest stage of the cell cycle?
Interphase
Interphase is the longest part of the cell cycle. This is when the cell grows and copies its DNA before moving into mitosis. During mitosis, chromosomes will align, separate, and move into new daughter cells. The prefix inter- means between, so interphase takes place between one mitotic (M) phase and the next.
Is 6 cycles of chemo a lot?
Most cycles range from 2 to 6 weeks. The number of treatment doses scheduled within each cycle also depends on the prescribed chemotherapy. For example, each cycle may contain only 1 dose on the first day.