There are several types of cancer drugs, each with unique mechanisms of action:
1. Alkylating Agents: These drugs work by adding an alkyl group to the DNA of cancer cells, leading to cell death. Examples include cyclophosphamide and melphalan.
2. Antimetabolites: These mimic the building blocks of DNA or RNA, disrupting cell replication. Methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil are common examples.
3. Plant Alkaloids: Derived from plants, these drugs disrupt the mitotic spindle, essential for cell division. Paclitaxel and vincristine are well-known plant alkaloids.
4. Topoisomerase Inhibitors: These drugs interfere with the enzyme topoisomerase, which is crucial for DNA replication. Topotecan and etoposide belong to this class.
5. Targeted Therapies: These drugs specifically target proteins or genes involved in cancer progression. Examples include trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer and imatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia.
6. Immunotherapy: These drugs enhance the immune system's ability to fight cancer. Pembrolizumab and nivolumab are examples of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
