Anticancer drugs function through several mechanisms, including:
1. Alkylating Agents: These drugs work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing. Examples include cyclophosphamide and cisplatin.
2. Antimetabolites: These mimic the building blocks of DNA or RNA, thereby interfering with the cells' ability to grow and divide. Methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil are common examples.
3. Mitotic Inhibitors: These drugs inhibit cell division by interfering with the microtubules, which are essential for cell division. Paclitaxel and vincristine fall into this category.
4. Topoisomerase Inhibitors: These drugs interfere with the enzymes (topoisomerases) that help untangle DNA strands, which is crucial for DNA replication and transcription. Examples include doxorubicin and etoposide.
5. Targeted Therapy: These drugs specifically target molecular pathways crucial for the survival and growth of cancer cells. Imatinib and trastuzumab are well-known targeted therapies.
