Cytostatics are drugs that slow down the process of cell division. Maintaining the vital activity of an organism is based on the ability of its cells to divide, while new cells take the place of old ones, and old ones, respectively, die. The speed of this process is biologically determined in such a way that a strict balance of cells is maintained in the body, while it is noteworthy that in each organ the metabolic process proceeds at a different speed.

But sometimes the rate of cell division becomes too high, the old cells do not have time to die. This is how the formation of neoplasms, in other words, tumors, occurs. It is at this time that it becomes topical issue, about cytostatics - what they are and how they can help in the treatment of cancer. And in order to answer it, it is necessary to consider all aspects of this group of drugs.

Cytostatics and oncology

Most often in medical practice, the use of cytostatics occurs in the field of oncology in order to slow down tumor growth. Time affects all cells of the body, so the slowdown in metabolism occurs in all tissues. But only in malignant neoplasms, the effect of cytostatics is expressed in full, slowing down the rate of progression of oncology.

Cytostatics and autoimmune processes

Also, cytostatics are used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, when, as a result of pathological activity immune system Antibodies do not destroy antigens that enter the body, but cells of their own tissues. Cytostatics affect the bone marrow, reducing the activity of the immune system, as a result of which the disease has the opportunity to go into remission.

Thus, cytostatics are used in the following diseases:

malignant oncological tumors in the early stages;
lymphoma;
leukemia;
systemic lupus erythematosus;
arthritis;
vasculitis;
Sjögren's syndrome;
scleroderma.

Having considered the indications for taking the drug and the mechanism of its effect on the body, it becomes clear how cytostatics work, what they are, and in what cases they should be used.

Types of cytostatics

Cytostatics, the list of which is given below, are not limited to these categories, but it is customary to single out these 6 categories of drugs.

1. Alkylating cytostatics - drugs that have the ability to damage the DNA of cells that differ high speed division. Despite the high degree of effectiveness, the drugs are difficult to tolerate by patients, among the consequences of the course of treatment are often pathologies of the liver and kidneys as the main filtration systems of the body. Such funds include:

chloroethylamines;
nitrourea derivatives;
alkyl sulfates;
ethyleneimines.

2. Alkaloids-cytostatics of plant origin - preparations similar action, but with a natural composition:

taxanes;
vinca alkaloids;
podophyllotoxins.

3. Cytostatic antimetabolites - drugs that inhibit substances involved in the process of tumor formation, thereby stopping its growth:

antagonists folic acid;
purine antagonists;
pyrimidine antagonists.

4. Cytostatic antibiotics - antimicrobials with antitumor activity:

anthracyclines.

5. Cytostatic hormones - anticancer drugs that reduce the production of certain hormones.

progestins;
antiestrogen;
estrogens;
antiandrogens;
aromatase inhibitors.

6. Monoclonal antibodies - artificially created antibodies, identical to the present, directed against certain cells, in this case - tumors.

Preparations

Cytostatics, the list of drugs of which is presented below, are prescribed only by prescription and are taken only under strict indications:

"Cyclophosphamide";
"Tamoxifen";
"Flutamide";
"Sulfasalazine";
"Chlorambucil";
"Azathioprine";
"Temozolomide";
"Hydroxychloroquine";
"Methotrexate".

The list of drugs that fit the definition of "cytostatics" is very wide, but these drugs are prescribed by doctors most often. The drugs are selected individually for the patient very carefully, while the doctor explains to the patient which side effects cause cytostatics, what they are and whether they can be avoided.

Side effects

The diagnostic process should confirm that a person has a serious disease, for the treatment of which cytostatics are required. Side effects from these drugs are very pronounced, they are not only difficult to tolerate by patients, but also carry a danger to human health. In other words, taking cytostatics is always a huge risk, but in oncology and autoimmune diseases, the risk of not being treated is higher than the risk of possible side effects of the drug.

The main side effect of cytostatics is its negative effect on the bone marrow, and therefore on the entire hematopoietic system. At long-term use, which is usually required in therapy oncological neoplasms, and with autoimmune processes, even the development of leukemia is possible.

But even in the event that blood cancer can be avoided, changes in the composition of the blood will inevitably affect the work of all systems. If the viscosity of the blood increases, the kidneys suffer, since a large load is placed on the membranes of the glomeruli, as a result of which they can be damaged.

While taking cytostatics, you should be prepared for permanent feeling unwell. Patients who have undergone a course of treatment with drugs of this group, constantly note a feeling of weakness, drowsiness, and the inability to concentrate on the task. Common complaints include headache, which is always present and difficult to eliminate with analgesics.

Women during the treatment period usually experience menstrual irregularities and the inability to conceive a child.

Disorders digestive system manifest as nausea and diarrhea. Often this causes a person's natural desire to limit their diet and reduce the amount of food they eat, which, in turn, leads to anorexia.

Not dangerous to health, but an unpleasant consequence of taking cytostatics is hair loss on the head and body. After stopping the course, as a rule, hair growth resumes.

Based on this, it can be emphasized that the answer to the question of cytostatics - what is it, contains information not only about the benefits of this type of drugs, but also about high risk for health and well-being during its use.

Rules for taking cytostatics

It is important to understand that a cytostatic has a direct effect on the activity of the immune system, inhibiting it. Therefore, during the course, a person becomes susceptible to any infection.

In order to prevent infection, it is necessary to observe all security measures: do not appear in places large cluster people, wear protective gauze bandage and enjoy local funds antiviral protection ( oxolinic ointment), avoid hypothermia. If infection respiratory infection However, if this happens, you need to see a doctor immediately.

How to reduce side effects?

Modern medicine makes it possible to minimize the severity of side effects that occur while taking cytostatics. Special preparations blocking vomiting reflex in the brain, make it possible to maintain normal health and performance during treatment.

As a rule, the tablet is taken early in the morning, after which it is recommended to increase the drinking regime to 2 liters of water per day. Cytostatics are predominantly excreted by the kidneys, so their particles can settle on tissues Bladder having an irritant effect. A large number of fluid intake and frequent emptying of the bladder makes it possible to reduce the severity of side effects of cytostatics on the bladder. It is especially important to empty your bladder thoroughly before going to bed.

Examinations during treatment

Taking cytostatics requires regular examination of the body. At least once a month, the patient should take tests showing the efficiency of the kidneys, liver, hematopoietic system:

clinical blood test;
biochemical blood test for creatinine, ALT and AST levels;
complete urinalysis;
CRP indicator.

Thus, knowing all up-to-date information about why cytostatics are needed, what they are, what types of drugs are and how to take it correctly, you can count on a favorable prognosis for the treatment of oncological and autoimmune diseases.

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Classmates

Cytostatics are drugs for the treatment of malignant cells and neoplasms, which are aimed at suppressing mitotic activity and preventing pathologically rapid cell division.

These drugs belong to the group of antimetabolites, which significantly change the process of metabolism inside the cells of the body. Exactly malignant neoplasms most sensitive to the effects of cytostatic agents.

Scope of cytostatic drugs

Cytostatics are prescribed for the treatment of diseases such as leukemia, early stages cancer, lymphoma.

Cytostatics inhibit cell division of malignant tumors and formations in order to prevent the disease from actively progressing. Cells with normal speed divisions are much less responsive to these drugs (for example, cells of the mucous membranes, epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, hair).

Cytostatics can also inhibit cell proliferation bone marrow Therefore, they are actively used in various autoimmune diseases (arthritis, lupus, scleroderma and monoclonal gammopathy).

Cytostatic drugs are available in the form of tablets, capsules and various injections. Only a doctor can prescribe the dosage and duration of treatment, based on the severity of the disease, the tolerance of the prescribed drugs by the body, and the effectiveness of the course of treatment.

Types of cytostatic drugs

All existing cytostatics are rather conditionally classified into several types. This convention is due to the fact that each cytostatic drug has an absolutely unique mechanism of action on the body. At the same time, a group of several cytostatics from one group has effective impact absolutely different types malignant formations.

Here is a list of the most common traditional medicine cytotoxic drugs:

alkylating group of cytostatics (chloroethylamines, nitrosourea derivatives, alkylsulfonates and ethyleneimines;
a group of cytostatic alkaloids of plant origin (taxanes, podophyllotoxins and vinca alkaloids);
antimetabolite cytostatics (purine, folic acid and pyrimidine antagonists);
cytostatic antibiotics with antitumor activity (anthracyclines and others);
monoclonal antibodies;
cytostatic hormones (estrogens, progestins, antiandrogens, antiestrogen and aromatase inhibitors);
other cytotoxic drugs.

The most famous cytostatic drugs are:

Busulfan;
Nimustine;
Chlorambucil;
Teniposide Vindesine;
Cisplatin.

Side effects when using cytostatic agents

Cytostatics actively inhibit the growth of rapidly dividing cells of the bone marrow, lymphoid system and epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract. Because of this effect of drugs on the body, some patients experience diseases such as cytopenia, stomatitis, intestinal and stomach ulcers. Some have signs of rapid liver damage from toxins, which leads to the appearance of cirrhosis.

The most characteristic side effect of cytostatics is chronic inhibition of hematopoiesis, which manifests itself in the form of leukopenia and anemia. The degree of manifestation of this process directly depends on the number of single and total doses of cytostatic drugs taken.

Also, cytostatics have an immunosuppressive effect on the human body, which leads to increased activity pathogenic microflora. This helps to reduce the body's resistance to various pathogenic factors, there is an exacerbation of chronic processes.

The result of the impact of cytostatics on the body in some cases is a noticeable decrease in the protective forces of cells. This can create favorable conditions to start the process of cell malignancy and the formation of new types of formations, tumors and metastases.

All antitumor drugs according to the mechanism of action, chemical structure and source of production can be divided into alkylating compounds, antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, herbal preparations, enzymes and a group of different drugs (Table 9.5).

Table 9.5. Classification anticancer drugs(WHO).

Alkylating drugs

At the core biological action the entire group (Table 9.6) is the reaction - the binding of the alkyl (methyl) group of the cytostatic with the nucleophilic groups of DNA and proteins, followed by breaks in the polynucleotide chains.

Alkylation of DNA molecules, the formation of crosslinks and breaks leads to disruption of their functions in the processes of replication and transcription and, ultimately, to unbalanced growth and death. tumor cells. Without exception, all alkylating agents are common poisons for the cell, with a predominantly phazone-non-selective effect.

They have a particularly pronounced damaging effect on rapidly dividing cells. Most alkylating agents are well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, but due to their strong local irritant action, many of them are administered intravenously.

In spite of general mechanism actions, most of the drugs in this group differ from each other in terms of the spectrum of influence on tumors, as well as side effects, although they all inhibit hematopoiesis, and in the long term and with prolonged use, many of them can cause secondary tumors.

Alkylating compounds also include prospidin, which reduces ion permeability plasma membranes and alters the activity of membrane-bound enzymes. It is believed that the selectivity of its action is determined by differences in the structure and functions of the plasma membranes of tumor and normal cells.

Preparations of the nitrosourea group are also alkylating agents that bind DNA bases and phosphates, leading to breaks and cross-links of its molecule in tumor and normal cells. Due to the high solubility in lipids, nitrosourea derivatives penetrate the blood-brain barrier, which makes them widely used in the treatment of primary and metastatic malignant brain tumors.

The drugs have a fairly wide spectrum of action, but also high toxicity. Among derivatives III generation new highly active but less toxic compounds have been obtained. Among them, of greatest interest is fotemustine (mustoforan), which has a high rate of penetration into the cell and through the blood-brain barrier.

Fotemustine is most effective in disseminated melanoma and, in particular, in its metastases to the brain, in primary brain tumors (gliomas) and their recurrence after surgery and / or radiotherapy.

Antimetabolites are structural analogues of the "natural" components (metabolites) of nucleic acids (purine and pyrimidine analogues). Entering into competitive relations with normal metabolites, they disrupt the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Many metabolites have S-phase specificity and either inhibit the enzymes of nucleic acid synthesis or disrupt the DNA structure upon insertion of the analog.

Of the pyrimidine antimetabolites, the thymine analog is the most widely used. 5-fluorouracil (5FU). Another drug in this group, ftorafur, is considered as a transport form of 5FU. Unlike 5FU, ftorafur stays in the body longer, is less toxic, and is better soluble in lipids. therefore, it penetrates the blood-brain barrier and is used in brain tumors.

Pyrimidine antimetabolites are widely used in the treatment of tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and breast. Among the pyrimidine antienzyme analogues, cytarabine (cytosar) is the most famous. Its target enzyme is DNA polymerase and therefore the cell sensitivity to cytarabine is maximum in the S-phase (blocks the transition from G1 to the S phase and causes acute S-phase cell death).

At low doses, cytarabine causes only a temporary block of DNA synthesis in S-phase cells, which makes it possible to use it at such doses to “synchronize” tumor cells and increase their sensitivity to other cyclodependent drugs.

It is likely that the ability of cytarabine to stimulate apoptosis in malignant cells is realized precisely at small DNA damage. Among pyrimidine antimetabolites, gemcitabine (Gemzar) is considered to be the most promising, as it inhibits DNA synthesis more effectively than others.

Purine antimetabolites include 6-mercaptopurine. It differs from natural metabolites in that the oxygen atom in it is replaced by sulfur. This drug inhibits the de novo synthesis of purines in tumors, and is also included in nucleic acids and disrupts their function, which leads to the death of tumor cells.

Main disadvantage of this antimetabolite - the ability to cause the development of drug resistance of tumor cells when repeated courses treatment. From the group of purine antimetabolites in clinical practice three new drugs were introduced: fludarabine, cladribine and pentostatin. Fludarabine inhibits DNA synthesis and primarily damages cells between G1 and G phase.

Cladribine is an adenosine antimetabolite that is included in DNA, leading to breaks in its strands. Basically, cells in the S-phase die, but non-dividing cells are also damaged. Pentostatin leads to the accumulation of adenosine metabolites in the cell, which inhibit DNA synthesis. Both of these drugs have shown high activity with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, leukemias.

To active drugs with an antimetabolite mechanism of action is hydroxyurea (hydrea) - a powerful inhibitor of DNA synthesis. The rapid reversibility of the action of this drug causes its relatively low toxicity and makes it a good synchronizer of cell divisions, which makes it possible to use hydroxyurea as a radiosensitizer in a number of solid tumors.

For normal growth cells need folic acid, which is involved in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines and, ultimately, nucleic acids. Among folic acid antagonists, methotrexate is the most widely used, which inhibits the synthesis of folic acid, which disrupts the formation of purines and thymidine and thereby interferes with DNA synthesis.

Methotrexate, as a folic acid antagonist, is a typical antimetabolite. Of the new antifolates, edatrexate, trimetrexate and pyritrexim can be named.

In the class of antimetabolites, a new inhibitor of purines and thymidine has appeared - raltitrexide (tomudex) Tomudex, in contrast to 5FU and methotrexate. rapidly excreted through the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract and does not have a cumulative effect.

Tomudex by therapeutic activity close in this respect to the combination of 5FU with its biochemical modulator leucovorin, but has less toxicity. The drug proved to be effective in patients with advanced corectal cancer. In this regard, it can be attributed to the first-line drugs in this localization.

plant alkaloids

In the practice of treatment neoplastic diseases herbal preparations have long been included. The best known vinca alkaloids are found in the rose periwinkle plant. Vincaalkapoids (vinblastine, vincristine) have slight differences in chemical structure, a similar mechanism of action, but differ in the spectrum of antitumor activity and especially side effects.

The mechanism of their action is reduced to the denaturation of tubulin, a protein of microtubules of the spindle of mitotic division, which leads to the arrest of the cell cycle in mitosis (mitotic poisons). Navelbine (vinorelbine) is a new vinca alkaloid with tubulin inhibitor action. The limiting toxicity of the drug is neutropenia. At the same time, it is less neurotoxic than other vinca alkaloids, which allows it to be administered for a longer time and in more high doses.

Podofiplin (a mixture of substances from the roots of thyroid podophyllum), which was previously used topically for papillomatosis of the larynx and bladder, is also referred to herbal preparations. Currently, semi-synthetic podophyllin derivatives are used - etoposide (VP-16, Vepezid) and teniposide (Vumon, VM-26).

Podophyllotoxins act on cell division by inhibiting the nuclear enzyme topoisomerase II, which is responsible for changing the shape (“unwinding” and “twisting”) of the DNA helix during replication. As a result, the cell cycle is blocked in G2 and the entry of tumor cells into mitosis is inhibited.

AT last years in the treatment of many solid tumors taxoids (paclitaxel, docetaxel) began to be widely used. Pacpitaxep (taxotere) was isolated in the 1960s in the United States from the bark of the Pacific yew, and docetaxel (taxotere) was obtained in the 1980s from the needles of the European yew.

The drugs have a unique mechanism of action, different from the known cytotoxic plant alkaloids. The target of taxoids is the system of tubulin microtubules of the tumor cell. However, they, without destroying the microtubular apparatus, cause the formation of defective microtubules and an irreversible stop of cell division. Differences in clinical activity these two taxoids are not great. The main dose-limiting toxicity of both is neutropenia.

Antitumor antibiotics

A large group of antitumor drugs are the waste products of fungi, of which anthracycpine antibiotics have found the greatest practical application. Among them a wide range doxorubicin (adriamycin, doxol), epirubicin (farmorubicin), rubomycin (daunorubicin) have antitumor activity.

Antibiotics through intercalation (formation of inserts between base pairs) induce single-strand DNA breaks, trigger the mechanism of free radical oxidation with damage to cell membranes and intracellular structures.

Violation of the DNA structure leads to inhibition of replication and transcription in tumor cells. The drugs are highly effective in various solid tumors, but have a pronounced cardiotoxicity, requiring special drug prophylaxis.

Of the antibiotics of the bleomycin group, bleomycin is the most widely used, which selectively inhibits DNA synthesis, causing the formation of single DNA breaks. Unlike other antitumor antibiotics, bleomecin does not have myelo- and immunosuppressive effects, but can induce pulmonofibrosis.

The anthracenedionic antibiotic mitoxantrone is a toloisomerase II inhibitor. It is effective in leukemia in combination with cytarabine, as well as in a number of solid tumors. In recent years, a pronounced analgesic effect of the combination of mitoxantrone and small doses of prednisolone has been found in multiple cancer metastases. prostate in the bones.

Other cytostatics

The mechanisms of antitumor action of cytostatics not included in the above groups are very different.

Platinum derivatives

Close to alkylating compounds are platinum derivatives (carboplatin), for which DNA is the main target. It has been established that they interact with DNA with the formation of inter- and intramolecular DNA-protein and DNA-DNA cross-links.

Platinum preparations are basic in various combination chemotherapy programs for many solid tumors, but are highly emetogenic and nephrotoxic (cisplatin) agents.

AT modern preparations(carboplatin, oxaliplatin) nephrotoxicity is drastically reduced, but myelodepression (carboplatin) and neurotoxicity (oxaliplatin) are present.

Derivatives of camptothecin

The beginning of the 1980s was marked by the introduction of fundamentally new antitumor compounds into the clinic. These include toloisomerase I and II inhibitors. Toloisomerases are normally responsible for the topology of DNA and its three-dimensional structure, are involved in DNA replication and RNA transcription, as well as in DNA repair and genomic rearrangement in cells. Toloisomerase I inhibitors cause reversible damage to individual strands within transcription.

Drugs that inhibit the activity of toloisomerase II lead to reversible damage to double strands during transcription, replication, and repair processes. Toloisomerase inhibitors also stabilize the DNA-toloisomerase complex, rendering the cell incapable of DNA synthesis.

The toloisomerase I inhibitors irinotecan (CAMPTO) and tolothecan (Hikamptin) block DNA replication by stabilizing the DNA-toloisomerase I complex.

Drugs are S-phase specific

CAMPTO is used in the treatment of many solid cancers, but is considered one of the most effective cytostatics in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, especially when combined with leucovorin and 5-fluorouracip. The side effects of CAMPTO, among which diarrhea is the most common, are completely reversible.

Tolotecan is structurally similar to CAMPTO, but has a different spectrum of clinical activity (cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, leukemia and sarcoma in children). The drug crosses the blood-brain barrier and has therapeutic effect with metastases to the brain of various solid tumors.

L-asparaginase

Many tumors are unable to synthesize aspartic acid and depend on its supply with blood, extracting this metabolite from there. It is on the basis of the discovered differences in the biochemistry of the tumor and normal cells that the use of L-asparaginase has been purposefully implemented.

The enzyme destroys asparagine in the body and, accordingly, reduces its content in the extracellular fluid. The growth of tumors that are not capable of synthesizing asparagine, unlike normal tissues, is selectively suppressed under conditions of such an amino acid "hunger". This action is clearly manifested in the treatment of acute leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with the drug.

When characterizing groups of chemotherapy drugs, the names of antitumor drugs, as a rule, are given by us according to the international nomenclature. However, the variety of names pharmaceutical market, in order to avoid errors, forces to list the main synonyms of the mentioned cytostatics. completely corresponding to one another international standards.

Uglyanitsa K.N., Lud N.G., Uglyanitsa N.K.

Side effects of cytostatics, their action will be considered further for informational purposes. These drugs mainly affect cells with an increased so-called mitotic index, that is, with a rapid division process.

Cytostatics - what are these drugs?

Cytostatics are used as anticancer agent. They inhibit or completely inhibit the process of division of tumor cells, the pronounced growth stops. connective tissue. Rapidly dividing cells are susceptible to cytostatic effects, in particular malignant tumors.

To a lesser extent, normal so-called rapidly dividing cells are also sensitive to the effects of cytostatics, in particular, cells of the bone marrow, cells of lymphoid and myeloid origin, cells of the skin and mucous membranes to a lesser extent.

The ability of cytostatics to suppress cell proliferation directly in the bone marrow has found wide application in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. These drugs inhibit leukopoiesis, reduce the number of autoaggressive T- and B-lymphocytes.

All cytostatic pharmaceuticals are highly toxic, therefore, the disposal of the biomaterial must comply with the so-called generally accepted sanitary standards. At various diseases these drugs have been used.

Cytostatics - their mechanism of action

Cytostatics violate normal process so-called cell division, induce damage to biomacromolecules, thereby causing disorganization of various biochemical processes regardless of the so-called replicative DNA synthesis.

Cytostatics have little effect on resting cells. These drugs cause genotoxic stress by modifying the DNA template when intrastrand and interstrand DNA crosslinks are formed. They contribute to the inactivation of key enzymes, disrupt the processes of transcription, processing, protein synthesis, and so on.

This group of drugs is biotransformed under the direct influence of phosphatases, resulting in the formation of active metabolites that have the so-called alkylating effect.

After intravenous administration cytostatics, their concentration in the bloodstream decreases quite quickly already on the first day, but can also be determined for 72 hours. With oral administration of drugs from this group, the concentration of metabolites is almost the same as with infusion administration. The elimination half-life averages seven hours. It is excreted from the body by the kidneys and through the intestines.

Side effects

Cytostatic therapy strikes throughout the body. Toxic components inhibit the development of actively dividing bone marrow cells, lymphatic system, the digestive apparatus, liver activity suffers as a result, the level of liver enzymes increases.

The powerful immunosuppressive effect of cytostatics leads to a decrease in immunity. The body becomes harder to resist infectious diseases and fight with pathogenic microorganisms, as a result, may worsen chronic processes. If a person passes long-term treatment, then leukopenia, anemia may develop, diarrhea is noted, anorexia is not excluded.

Side effects can be observed on the part of the urinary system in the form of hemorrhagic urethritis, sometimes there is fibrosis of the bladder, necrosis of the renal tubules, atypical cells of the bladder can be detected in the urine, with high doses of cytostatics, renal dysfunction occurs, hyperuricemia, nephropathy is recorded, which may be due to with increasing uric acid.

In addition, cardiotoxicity is observed, congestive heart failure is not excluded, it may be due to hemorrhagic myocarditis. Side effect joins respiratory system as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

Other side effects are expressed in the form of hair loss on the head, as well as on the entire area skin, there may be nausea and vomiting, in general, the tone of the body decreases, fatigue is noted, in addition, it goes astray menstrual cycle, increases the likelihood of infertility, as well as other negative manifestations.

Cytostatics in glomerulonephritis

With kidney pathology, in particular, with diagnosed glomerulonephritis, among others medicines prescribe and cytostatics, in particular, use such medicines: Imuran, Mielosan, in addition, Leukeran, Cyclophosphamide, as well as Aminopterin, Azathioprine, in addition, Mercaptopurine.

Cytostatics in pancreatitis

In case of pancreatic disease, in particular, with pancreatitis, the use of cytostatics is also indicated, and other pharmaceutical preparations are also prescribed to the patient. In particular, in severe cases of the disease, a person may be prescribed Fluorouracil. As a result, the drug is able to inhibit (suppress) the so-called excretory function of the pancreas.

Cytostatics - a list of drugs for rheumatoid arthritis

For diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, use the following drugs belonging to cytostatics: Methotrexate, Arava, in addition, Cyclophosphamide, Remicade, Azathioprine, and Cyclosporine.

Conclusion

The use of cytostatics should be carried out only after examining the patient and after consulting with the attending doctor.

Cytostatic agents. Cytostatics: what is it, a list of drugs

Cytostatics- these are substances (which are part of some plants, capable of affecting the cell, stopping its division (reproduction) and further development.
The action of cytostatics can affect not only the tumor cell, but also healthy. This occurs almost always when powerful cytostatics are used, used modern oncology. Unfortunately, this is the price one has to pay for the possibility of healing.

The effect of cytostatics on cancer and body cells

What cells are damaged first of all under the action of cytostatics?
The cells that are rapidly and constantly dividing are the first to be damaged by chemotherapy. Under such conditions, the cell needs a lot of all sorts of substances for construction. Therefore, it grabs everything from the intercellular fluid surrounding it, including poison. Cytostatics can most easily harm young and growing tumor cells, which are usually located on the periphery of the tumor node, and also form metastases. In other words, the most likely effect can be considered a cessation of tumor growth and metastases, and not the destruction of the tumor as such.
Under the influence of cytostatics, as an inevitable victim will fall healthy cells organisms characterized by rapid division. Therefore, during chemotherapy, there is a decrease in the number of blood leukocytes, damage to the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, hair loss, etc. The damaging effect of cytostatics is stronger, the higher the concentration active ingredient we give.

Cytostatics of plant origin: poisonous and non-poisonous plants

Both poisonous and non-poisonous plants are used as cytostatics. Poisonous plants have the strongest and quick effect towards cancerous tumor. Non-poisonous plants can be taken in large doses for quite a long time without any adverse reactions. Poisons that require precision in dosing are in most cases used in alcohol tinctures or in powders. While non-poisonous plants can be used as teas and simple decoctions.
poisonous plants containing karyoclastic poisons have been used since ancient times in the treatment of cancer. They gave rise to many modern chemotherapy drugs.
Periwinkle became the basis for the preparation of rather old preparations of vinblastine and vincristine and modern navelbine.
Preparations autumn colchicum are used less frequently and mainly for external forms of cancer.
Taxotere, one of the most advanced chemotherapy drugs, is made from needles. yew.
The most effective herbal cytostatics: Poison wrestler, spotted hemlock, poisonous milestones, red fly agaric, meadow backache, twisted chirkason, black hellebore, Okhotsk princess, medicinal comfrey.

The principle of sufficient dose is that only then can one count on the expressed antitumor effect when set up is enough high concentration active substances of the plant in the blood.
Very small concentrations active substances plants, entering the human body and not having a direct damaging effect on tissues, cause certain changes in the immune system (namely, the formation of antibodies), which subsequently destroy cancer cells. Minimum concentration gives maximum effect.

Cytostatics of plant origin only then will effectively affect the tumor when their dose is high enough.

Site of action of herbal cytostatics against cancer

delivery principle. The thyroid gland drags inside itself the lion's share of iodine entering the body. The lungs are very fond of silicon. Bones - calcium and phosphorus. It is clear that if poison is somehow attached to iodine, then it will go straight into thyroid gland and will do there what we expect from him. It is with this that the specific effect of cocklebur on tumors of the thyroid gland is associated, and that of knotweed and horsetail on the lungs.
The idea of the principle of delivery is that for better penetration into a specific organ, you need to add any other plant to a poisonous plant, even non-poisonous, but so that it contains those substances and trace elements that the organ loves.
So, to improve the delivery of the wrestler to the lungs, you need to give it with horsetail or lungwort. And to bring hemlock to the bones (which he does not do himself), it would be nice to combine it with dandelion or comfrey. Centuries ago, this principle was postulated in the Tibetan treatise Chud-shih. Moreover, the treatise accurately indicates the plants that are the conductor in this or that case.
The "Chzhud-shih" indicates universal conductors used in cold pathology to which cancer belongs. These heroes are: prince, rhododendron, sea buckthorn and mineral remedy"tamed spar".
And the conductors in the composition: skullcap, Saussurea costus, sage and large-leaved gentian - generally form the basis of all herbal compositions.

The principle of mitigation of side effects. Each poisonous plant has its own range of adverse reactions. Usually they are associated with a selective lesion of a particular organ. For example, the turnip wrestler chooses the heart for toxic reactions, the fly agaric - the liver.
Therefore, it is advisable to simultaneously (with poisons) prescribe herbs that protect suffering organs. So, together with a wrestler, it’s good to prescribe hawthorn and mint, and with fly agaric - immortelle and calendula. The combined use of a poison and a covering plant does not at all mean that they simultaneous application. It is better to separate their reception by a certain period of time, say, one hour. This is because tannins and gallic acid, found in many plants, can neutralize poisons when mixed together.

Dosing regimens for poisonous plants in cancer

Several dosing regimens can be distinguished alcohol extracts from poisonous plants. The choice of scheme in each case depends on the type of plant used; for what purpose (treatment of a malignant tumor, treatment benign tumor, anti-relapse postoperative treatment, prevention) the plant is used; on the severity of the patient's condition and the presence of violations on the part of internal organs; because at what stage is the treatment.

Constant Dosing Scheme

The simplest dosing of poisons is their appointment in a constant, unchanged dose at regular intervals. For example, 10 drops three times a day before meals. And that's it. No more and no less.
Advantages. When a person clearly knows what and how much, it is extremely difficult for him to make a mistake.
Flaw. Such a scheme is very rigid, uncomfortable, lacks flexibility, individuality in treatment. So, when prescribing to the patient an initially certain number of drops, you need to be sure that this dose will be well tolerated from the very beginning. On the other hand, where is the guarantee that the selected dose will be sufficient.
It seems that a constant dosing regimen is suitable when using not the most poisonous plants, or, conversely, very poisonous, with a small therapeutic breadth, and also in cases where there is no need to approach high doses of the drug. For example, in the treatment of benign neoplasms or in cases of prevention.
Scheme of dosing "slide". The most popular. This scheme is very often used by the people and is called "slide". Slides are different, but their meaning comes down to the same thing: a gradual increase and the same gradual decline doses.
For example, they start taking the medicine with one drop, adding one more every day. Upon reaching the maximum dose, such a systematic decrease begins. This is the practical essence of the slide.
Its pharmacological essence lies in the fact that a single (as well as the total daily) dose increases gradually.
With regard to poisons, this approach has been known for a long time. Written sources report that King Mithridates VI Eupator (132 - 63 BC), fearing to be poisoned, accustomed his body to poisons, taking them in increasing doses, starting with meager ones.
The use of poisons in the form of a slide contributes not only to a gradual increase in the therapeutic effect, but also prevents the occurrence of adverse reactions. This effect is deservedly called mithridatism.
Features of the application of the "hill" scheme. The first concept is “dose step”. The dose step is the amount by which the dose is increased with a single addition. For example, today the patient takes one drop of tincture, and tomorrow two, the day after tomorrow three. Therefore, the dose step will be equal to the amount of poison contained in 1 drop.
Highly important point! - dose step will be different if applied different concentrations tinctures, even if the scheme of application is the same. For example, one patient takes 10% wrestler tincture, adding 1 drop per day, and another patient 20% tincture in the same way. This means that the dose step for them will differ exactly by a factor of two.
The second concept is “dose plateau”. A dose plateau is a situation when, against the background of an initial increasing or decreasing dose change, they switch to taking a constant dose.
For example, at first the patient takes a tincture with one drop, adding one daily. Suppose he has reached 20 drops, and, starting from this day, he takes 20 drops throughout the entire course of treatment.
What is the practical value of these concepts? Everything is pretty simple. These two points give the treatment individuality.
For example, the choice of dose step is largely dictated by the condition of a particular patient at a particular point in time in particular circumstances. If the patient is weakened, then the dose step will be small. It will also be small if the toxicity of the plant is significant. And vice versa, if the patient is strong enough, not exhausted by a tumor disease, and time does not endure, then the dose step can be made large.
The higher the dose, the more pronounced the antitumor effect. Therefore, ideally, we want to give the patient the maximum dose of the drug for as long as possible.
We cannot immediately give such a dose, the patient will be poisoned. So it turns out that, based on the effect of mithridatism, we give the patient minimum dose poison, which can in no way be considered curative. Gradually, we increase it (slide) and finally reach the one we need, or the most portable. This is where the dose plateau is made.
It is clear that the dose plateau, as well as the dose step, will be different for each patient, depending on his individual characteristics.

Scheme of the "royal hill". Among the most common and popular are twenty-, fifteen- and ten-drop ascending-descending slides, as well as a scheme known as the “royal” one.
If the first of the listed schemes relate to almost all plants, then the royal scheme refers almost exclusively to taking hemlock and is associated with the name of Tishchenko.
Its main difference is that the tincture is not taken three times a day, as usual, but only once. But maximum dose at the peak of the hill, it is almost twice as high as in ordinary schemes.
The issue of frequency of reception is very important. How many times a day should the tincture be taken? To answer this question, one must understand the following thing. To healing effect was optimal, it is necessary that the concentration of the active substance of the plant in the area of the tumor, and therefore in the blood, be constant and high.
plant matter(alkaloids, glycosides, and others), getting from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood, circulate there not endlessly. First, they do their work inside the tumor and are destroyed. Secondly, they are quickly excreted from the body with urine, feces, and bile. Thirdly, they bind to proteins in the blood, forming inactive compounds.
Therefore, a constant recharge is needed. In this regard, a single dose during the day can be very controversial. After all, the concentration of poison in the blood will vary greatly during the day.

Standard scheme of a twenty-drop slide

Reception day

First appointment (before breakfast)

Second appointment (before lunch)

Third appointment (before dinner)

Reception day

First appointment (before breakfast)

Second appointment (before lunch)

Third appointment (before dinner)

Nonpoisonous herbal cytostatics against cancer

As for the dosing of non-poisonous plants, everything is much simpler with them.
The predominant dosage form in this case is an aqueous decoction or steam. Non-poisonous plants are usually used as part of fees, so the dose for preparing decoctions is usually standardized as 1 tbsp. mixture topped with 200 ml of water.
It is rather difficult to determine the mechanism of antitumor activity of such plants. Perhaps even more difficult than in the case of poisons.
Plants realize their effect due to the whole complex of substances included in their composition, which have not so much a cytostatic effect as a regulatory one.
Unlike poisonous plants, non-poisonous plants more clearly show the dependence of the therapeutic effect on the substances and trace elements contained in them - deliverers. I have already given examples above (horsetail, norichnik, cocklebur, and so on).
At the same time, the principle of a sufficient dose is of lesser importance to them. In other words, for poisons it is clearly visible that the more you give, the more powerful the therapeutic effect, then when prescribing, say, a bedstraw, there is no difference whether it takes a sick decoction from a tablespoon to a glass or two.
But regularity and duration in taking non-poisonous plants are extremely important.
Examples of non-poisonous plants against cancer: Wormwood, large burdock, Baikal skullcap, tenacious and real bedstraws, burdock pharmacy (burdock), chaga, large plantain, goose cinquefoil, cudweed marshwort, common hops, Saussurea willowleaf, calendula officinalis and many others.
Example efficient scheme combinations of poisonous and non-poisonous plants.
As a combination of poisonous and non-poisonous plants, I consider it necessary to cite one rather popular scheme consisting of several plants. The authorship belongs to the Far Eastern herbalist M.V. Golyuk. Here is the diagram:
the first three days they drink infusion of bergenia (50 g of root per 350 ml of water, 2-3 teaspoons before meals), on the fourth day - celandine tincture (100 g per 0.5 l of vodka, 2-3 teaspoons 3 times a day before meals), on the fifth and sixth days - tincture of Japanese Sophora (50 g per 0.5 l of vodka, 30 drops 3 times a day before meals), the remaining three days - tincture of Eleutherococcus senticosus (100 g per 0.5 l of vodka, 1 teaspoon three times a day before meals). Peony tincture (marin root, 50 g per 0.5 l of vodka, 30-40 drops 3 times a day before meals) is drunk throughout the cycle.
Sometimes this scheme takes the form of a four-infusion scheme - Japanese Sophora falls out. >>