Health and Medicine
98 Cancer Chemotherapy: Alkylating Agents
Sophie Herman
Introduction
Cancer is a disease resulting from uncontrollable cell growth in the body. Human cells grow old or become damaged and eventually die allowing for new cells to replace the old. However, there are times when this process does not go accordingly and abnormal cells begin multiplying. These cells may form tumors which are lumps of tissues that can be cancerous or not cancerous. Cancerous tumors have the ability to spread to other parts of the body (National Cancer Institute, 2021).
Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer with the goal of prolonging survival and providing symptom relief. It is the administration of chemicals with cell-killing properties in hopes of suppressing cell growth and division (Nygren, 2001).
Connection to STS
Chemotherapy is such a powerful technological advancement that has made rapid development in cancer treatment. In relation to STS, curiosity led to the pursuit of new knowledge which resulted in the creation of chemotherapy. The treatment provides patients with a chance of reaching complete remission forever changing the lives of not only the patients, but also their loved ones. With cancer being the second leading cause of death in the US, this creation has immensely impacted society as a whole.
Alkylating Agents
Alkylating agents are a class of drugs frequently used in this therapy. These drugs damage the DNA of cancer cells during all stages of the cell cycle preventing cell reproduction and can eventually lead to tumor cell death and mutagenic damage. Alkylating agents are capable of treating many cancers including lung, breast and ovary cancers as well as leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, multiple myeloma and sarcoma (American Cancer Society, 2019).
However, resistance to alkylating agents can develop, leading to treatment failure and disease progression. The expression of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) enzyme can influence the effectiveness of the therapy drugs. Tumors with high levels of MGMT are more resistant to alkylating agents, while tumors with low levels of MGMT are more sensitive to these drugs (Sarkaria et al., 2008).
History of alkylating agents
Alkylating agents emerged during World War I when mustard gas, a vesicant chemical agent, was used as a weapon. It acted as an alkylating agent by damaging the DNA of cells resulting in low levels of red or white blood cells and platelets. The first developments were made when treating the exposed patients, noting the profound decrease in blood cells. However, the major findings occurred during World War II following an accidental emission of sulfur mustards after a ship was bombed. Upon examining the fallen victims, a physician focused primarily on the low white blood cell count. Because white blood cells are known for rapid cell division, these researchers were able to believe that this agent had the potential to kill cancer cells since they are a