Has your doctor prescribed an 'Antimetabolite' drug for you or someone close to you to treat a cancer condition? If so, you might want to know everything about this type of drug, its pros and cons, and how it works. Antimetabolites are a class of drugs used in chemotherapy to kill cancer. In fact, they are a very old type of drug that is widely used in cancer treatment, having been used since the 1940s.
What are these antimetabolites? How do they work?
Simply put, antimetabolites are a type of drug that destroys cells (cytotoxic) . Their action is very subtle.
Imagine, a cell in our body, especially a cancer cell, needs some of its own 'ingredients' to grow, divide, and multiply. What this drug does is act as a 'fake ingredient' that looks exactly like those ingredients. So the cancer cells are tricked and instead of the real ingredients they need to grow, they ingest these fake ingredients, our medicine.
The genetic information of a cell, that is, the complete blueprint of that cell, is contained in things called DNA and RNA . When this antimetabolite drug enters the cancer cell, that cell is unable to make copies of its DNA. It's like putting the wrong cartridge in a printer and it can't make copies.
When DNA cannot be copied, that cell cannot divide into new cells. At that point, cancer cells stop multiplying and they die.
Because this type of drug specifically targets rapidly dividing cells , they are very effective in controlling rapidly growing cancers.
Below are some of the antimetabolites commonly used in cancer treatment.
| Some commonly used antimetabolites |
|---|
| 6-mercaptopurine |
| Fludarabine |
| 5-fluorouracil |
| Gemcitabine |
| Cytarabine |
| Pemetrexed |
| Methotrexate |
What types of cancer is this medicine used for?
Antimetabolites are most commonly used to treat blood cancers such as leukemia , breast cancer , ovarian cancer , and intestinal tract cancers .
But because these drugs can inhibit the growth of any rapidly dividing cell type, doctors also recommend them for various other types of cancer.
How do I get this medicine?
The way antimetabolite drugs are administered can vary depending on the drug in question and the type of cancer being treated.
- Tablets or liquids: Some antimetabolites are available as tablets or liquids that can be taken by mouth daily.
- Intravenous (IV): There are other types of injections that are given into a vein. These are usually given as a saline solution through a vein. For people who are on long-term treatment, these medications are sometimes given through a special tube (mediport) that is placed in a large, central vein.
- Creams: Antimetabolites used for skin cancer are also available as topical creams. These are applied to the affected skin area once or twice a day.
What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?
The biggest advantage of this type of medicine is that it destroys cancer cells, stops the growth of the cancer or shrinks it. This helps the patient recover and prolong their life.
However, there is a risk involved. These drugs do not work the same for everyone. Sometimes, even doctors have difficulty telling exactly which cancer this drug is right for.
Another important thing is that sometimes, even though it works well at first, over time, the cancer cells become accustomed to this drug. We call this 'resistant'. Then the drug can no longer work.
What are the side effects of antimetabolites?
Because antimetabolites are a class of drugs, not a single drug, side effects can vary. Therefore, if you have been prescribed a specific antimetabolite drug, it is important to talk to your doctor about the specific side effects associated with it.
But in general, there are several common side effects seen with most antimetabolites.
| Side Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Digestive system problems | Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation. |
| Body discomfort | Fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, headache, and dizziness. |
| Changes in the mouth and lips | Sores or swelling in the mouth and lips. |
| Effects on the liver | Elevated liver enzymes (this may indicate liver damage or swelling). |
| Skin and hair | Hair loss, skin rashes, dry and cracked skin. |
| Changes in the eyes | Vision changes or sensitivity to light. |
| Effects on blood cells | Decreased white blood cell count, which increases the risk of infection. |
Take-Home Message
- Antimetabolites are a type of chemotherapy drug that tricks cancer cells into stopping their growth.
- These are most commonly used for fast-growing cancers such as leukemia, breast, ovarian, and colon cancer.
- Although these treatments have the advantage of destroying cancer cells, they also carry risks such as drug resistance and side effects.
- Because side effects vary from drug to drug, it is essential to be aware of the medication you are taking and its effects.
- Most importantly: Talk to your doctor without hesitation about the medication you've been prescribed, its side effects, and any questions or concerns you may have. Only he or she can give you the most accurate and appropriate advice.
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