The resistant malignant cells towards chemotherapy contain multidrug resistance (MDR) gene. MDR gene is present from the onset in intrinsic resistance, where acquired resistance is due to genetic mutation after exposure to chemotherapy. The resistant cells contain a protein called P-glycoprotein on the cell surface. The P-glycoprotein acts as an efflux pump and rapidly send out the chemotherapeutic agents from the cell, thus reducing their therapeutic effect [2].
The major cytotoxic drugs show several reversible toxicities such as nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression, and alopecia. However, certain chemotherapy drugs also show special toxicities that affect specific issues or organs, example: cardiotoxicity that comes with anthracyclines. Most of these unique toxicities are irreversible and cumulative. Chemotherapeutic agents often exert same cytotoxic effect on both malignant and normal cells. Normal cells need to be given opportunity to recover between interval of treatments to prevent life-threatening toxicities that affect patients’ life qualities in the short and long term treament. Even if the cell show drug resistance toward chemotherapeutic agent, toxicities may still occur due to toxic effects on normal cells [2].
The severity of toxicity is a critical factor that need to be considered when planning a chemotherapy treatment. …show more content…
The specific chemotherapeutic agents used such as dosage, route of administration and schedule can affect the severity of vomiting or nausea. The risk is increased among patient under 50 years old and women. Chemotherapy caused nausea or vomiting is grouped into delayed or acute. Delayed-onset vomiting develops more than 24 hours after chemotherapy and usually peaks 48–72 hours after administration and may last up to 7 days. Acute-emesis usually occurs within a few minutes to several hours and usually resolves within 24 hours after drug administration
The major cytotoxic drugs show several reversible toxicities such as nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression, and alopecia. However, certain chemotherapy drugs also show special toxicities that affect specific issues or organs, example: cardiotoxicity that comes with anthracyclines. Most of these unique toxicities are irreversible and cumulative. Chemotherapeutic agents often exert same cytotoxic effect on both malignant and normal cells. Normal cells need to be given opportunity to recover between interval of treatments to prevent life-threatening toxicities that affect patients’ life qualities in the short and long term treament. Even if the cell show drug resistance toward chemotherapeutic agent, toxicities may still occur due to toxic effects on normal cells [2].
The severity of toxicity is a critical factor that need to be considered when planning a chemotherapy treatment. …show more content…
The specific chemotherapeutic agents used such as dosage, route of administration and schedule can affect the severity of vomiting or nausea. The risk is increased among patient under 50 years old and women. Chemotherapy caused nausea or vomiting is grouped into delayed or acute. Delayed-onset vomiting develops more than 24 hours after chemotherapy and usually peaks 48–72 hours after administration and may last up to 7 days. Acute-emesis usually occurs within a few minutes to several hours and usually resolves within 24 hours after drug administration