How chemotherapy works
Chemotherapy medicines act on a cell’s DNA or its division machinery; the cell cannot divide and dies.
01Short answer
02Simple explanation
Topic. how chemotherapy works.
Ask. Your team will explain your own situation.
Write down. Your questions.
Overview. The article “Chemotherapy”.
03Scientific explanation
Nadir: the lowest point of blood counts, usually days to weeks after a course.
Phase-specific medicines act only on cells in a certain phase.
04What happens in the body?
How chemotherapy works
Some medicines damage DNA, some block DNA building, and some disrupt the "threads" that pull chromosomes apart during division. They work in different phases of the cell cycle, so together they are more effective. Healthy marrow recovers, while leukaemia cells do so less well.
In more detail
Nadir: the lowest point of blood counts, usually days to weeks after a course. Phase-specific medicines act only on cells in a certain phase.
The overview
This article goes deep into one subject. For the bigger picture, see “Chemotherapy”.
05How chemotherapy works: the steps
Four steps.
06How medicine groups work
| Group | Target | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Antimetabolites | DNA building | Cytarabine |
| Anthracyclines | DNA | Daunorubicin |
| Vinca alkaloids | Division threads | Vincristine |
07Key terms
- Nadir
- The lowest point of blood counts.
- Cell cycle
- The stages of cell division.
08Key points
- Everyone’s plan is individual.
- Write down and bring your questions.
- Report new symptoms early.
- Do not change medicines yourself.
- For food, see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”.
- Overview: “Chemotherapy”.
09Frequently asked questions
Why are there breaks between courses?
So healthy marrow can recover.
Is this the same for everyone?
No; the plan depends on the type of leukaemia and your situation.
Where is the overview?
In the article “Chemotherapy”.
10Questions for your doctor
Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.
Why are there breaks between courses?
Is this the same for everyone?
Where is the overview?
12Sources
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer
- MedlinePlus. Cancer Chemotherapy
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
- Intensive Care Society. What is intensive care?
- ICUsteps. Guide to intensive care: introduction
- ICUsteps. Guide to intensive care: your time in the ICU
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Critical Care
- Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). Patient and Family Resources
- Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2013. Outcomes of critically ill patients with hematologic malignancies: prospective multicenter data from France and Belgium
- Critical Care Medicine, 2017. Guidelines for Family-Centered Care in the Neonatal, Pediatric, and Adult ICU