Chemotherapy is a type of treatment used to treat cancer and other serious illnesses. It uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing and dividing. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles, with each cycle lasting several weeks.
The six classes of chemotherapy are: alkylating agents, antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, plant alkaloids, monoclonal antibodies, and hormones.
Alkylating agents are drugs that cause cancer cells to die by damaging their DNA. Examples of alkylating agents include cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and mechlorethamine.
Antimetabolites are drugs that interfere with the way cancer cells use nutrients to grow and divide. Examples of antimetabolites include methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and gemcitabine.
Topoisomerase inhibitors are drugs that stop cancer cells from copying their DNA. Examples of topoisomerase inhibitors include etoposide, doxorubicin, and topotecan.
Plant alkaloids are drugs that come from plants and interfere with the way cancer cells grow and divide. Examples of plant alkaloids include vincristine, vinblastine, and paclitaxel.
Monoclonal antibodies are drugs that attach to cancer cells and mark them for destruction by the body's immune system. Examples of monoclonal antibodies include rituximab, trastuzumab, and bevacizumab.
Hormones are drugs that block the effect of hormones on cancer cells. Examples of hormones used in chemotherapy include tamoxifen, anastrozole, and leuprolide.
These six classes of chemotherapy are used to treat many types of cancer. They work best when used in combination with each other and with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.