Medical Pharmacology: Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs: Anti-Metabolites Practice Questions

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Toxicity of cytarabine (Ara-C):
1. With the standard seven-day protocol, myelosuppression is dose-limiting.
2. Most frequent toxicities include thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.
3. About 40% of patients exhibit indications of cerebellar dysfunction.
4. A & B
5. B & C
6. A & C
7. A, B & C
Lung complications associated with cytarabine administration:
1. Noncardiac pulmonary edema
2. Acute respiratory distress
3. Both
4. Neither
Sign/signs associated with cerebellar dysfunction due to cytarabine toxicity:
1. Dysmetria
2. Ataxia
3. Dysarthria
4. A & B
5. B & C
6. A & C
7. A, B & C
Resistance mechanisms to the action of cytarabine (Ara-C):
1. Reduced anabolic rate
2. Reduced transmembrane protein transport
3. Both
4. Neither
Cytosine deaminates levels appears to correlate with clinical response to cytarabine in AML patients (acute myelogenous leukemia).
1. True
2. False
Cytarabine exhibits poor bioavailability (deamination); as a result, cytarabine (Ara-C) is typically administered intravenously by continuous infusion.
1. True
2. False
Cytarabine metabolism:
1. Extensive hepatic metabolism
2. Plasma metabolism
3. Peripheral tissue metabolism
4. A & B
5. B & C
6. A & C
7. A, B & C
After a day of cytarabine (Ara-C) administration most of the drug (80%) is excreted-
1. In the feces following enterohepatic circulation and biliary excretion
2. In the urine
3. Both
4. Neither
Even at high doses, cytarabine does not cross the blood brain barrier.
1. True
2. False
Cytarabine (Ara-C) not only exhibits efficacy in acute myeloid leukemia but has proven useful in treating solid tumors.
1. True
2. False