Cancer Cell-Specific

Types of Agents

100

This group of agents specifically targets enzymes necessary for protein binding in tumor cells and does not affect healthy human cells.

Protein Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

200

This inhibitor, approved for treating multiple myeloma, targets the proteasome in human cells to delay tumor growth.

Proteasome Inhibitor

300

Erlotinib falls into this category of inhibitors, which act on receptors found abundantly on rapidly growing cancer cells.

Epidermal Growth Factor Inhibitor

Specific Drugs

100

This is the first drug approved in the Protein Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor class, known for treating certain types of leukemia.

imatinib

200

This inhibitor, used in treating multiple myeloma, is administered intravenously and reaches peak effects at the end of its infusion.

bortezomib

300

This epidermal growth factor inhibitor, administered orally, is commonly used for cancer treatment.

erlotinib

Drug Class

100

This cancer treatment class is focused on being effective against specific cancer cells while sparing healthy cells from harmful side effects.

Cancer Cell-Specific

200

Drugs that kill cells as the process of mitosis begins

Mitotic Inhibitors 

300

Drugs that have chemical structures similar to those various natural metabolites that are necessary for the growth and division of rapidly growing neoplastic cells and normal cells

Antimetabolites

400

Most useful in the treatment of slow-growing cancers

Alkylating Agents 

500

Selective for bacterial cells, but are also toxic to human cells

Antineoplastic Antibiotics 

Drug class

300

Used as Antineoplastics are receptor site specific or hormone specific that block the stimulation of growing cancer cells that are sensitive to the presence of that hormone

Hormones and Hormone Modulators