chemotherapeutant
Quick Summary
Chemotherapeutants, also known as anticancer drugs, are chemical agents used to treat malignant diseases. These drugs work by disrupting cancer cell division or damaging their DNA. They can be broadly categorized into cytotoxic drugs, which kill rapidly dividing cells, and non-cytotoxic drugs, which target specific molecular pathways or the cancer's environment.1
The term "chemotherapy" often refers to the use of anticancer drugs, though it technically means using chemicals to treat any disease. Early chemotherapeutic drugs included alkylating agents like mechlorethamine and antimetabolites such as methotrexate. Modern approaches include targeted therapies that act on specific molecular anomalies driving cancer growth. While effective, these drugs can have side effects as they may also affect healthy cells.12345
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