Cancer pills: painkillers, hormones.

Cancer pills are part of drug therapy for various oncological diseases. Let's consider their types, rules of administration and other features of use.

Scientists from all over the world are working on a solution to the problem of cancer treatment. To do this, they use high-quality medical equipment and modern technologies for early detection of oncology. The choice of therapy method depends entirely on the type of tumor, its stage, the patient's age and his general health.

Radiation and radionuclide therapy, surgical intervention and, of course, chemotherapy can be used for treatment. If necessary, these methods are combined, providing a comprehensive destructive effect on the tumor. The use of tablets is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor. This is due to the fact that drug therapy must be accompanied by a special regimen, vitamin therapy, dietary nutrition and monitoring of vital signs.

Indications cancer pills

Various methods are used to treat cancer, depending on the severity of the pathology, but chemotherapy is used at almost all stages. Indications for its use are based on the results of tests that have identified cancer cells. The type of drug and its dosage depend on the stage of the disease and its localization.

The main task of the tablets is to destroy malignant cells. In some cases, such as in the last stages, it is impossible to completely destroy the tumor, but it is quite possible to stop its reproduction and growth. Based on this, medications are prescribed to slow the growth of tumor cells.

Let's look at the main types of drugs and indications for their use:

• Hormonal

If the tumor occurs within the reproductive system, then in most cases it is hormone-dependent. The growth of such a neoplasm is stimulated by hormones: testosterone (in men) and estrogen (in women). The higher the level of hormones, the more severe the disease. The task of the tablets is to block their production, gradually reducing the level in the blood. Hormonal therapy is carried out for prostate cancer, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer.

• Toxic (from aggressive forms of cancer)

Some forms of cancer develop very quickly, for example, lung damage. In this case, toxic drugs and compounds of the most active agents are used to prevent metastasis. Such patients are prescribed strong painkillers.

• Antiviral

In the treatment of oncological diseases, the immunotherapy method is used, which is aimed at increasing the resistance of the immune system. This is due to the fact that some forms of oncology develop under viral influence. For example, in case of uterine cancer, the cause may be the human papilloma virus.

• Universal antitumor agents

This is a series of drugs that can be used for any form of the disease. They disrupt the process of reproduction of malignant cells.

• Antitumor antimetabolites

They are used for lesions of the respiratory and reproductive systems, digestive tract, blood, skin, mammary glands with metastasis.

Very often, oncology is diagnosed too late, when radical treatment methods can no longer be used. In this case, pills fight metastases, alleviating the patient's condition.

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Release form

Drug therapy for cancer is one of the stages of its complex treatment. For these purposes, antitumor and immunological tablets are used, which destroy malignant cells and support the immune system. There are many anticancer drugs on the pharmaceutical market. The choice of the appropriate drug should be made by the attending physician. The stage of the disease, the localization of the tumor, the age of the patient and the general condition of the body are taken into account.

Cancer pill names

Let's look at the main names of cancer pills:

• Hormonal – block the body’s production of hormones that feed tumor growths. Depending on the type of cancer, patients may be prescribed: Taxol, Herceptin, Zoladex, Sinestrol, Thyreokomb, Tamoxifen, Thyroidin and others.
• Universal remedies against any form of cancer – 5-fluorouracil, Fluorofur, Doxorubicin, disrupt the process of reproduction of cancer cells.
• Toxic against aggressive forms of oncology - Adriamycin, Fluorouracil, Vepesid, Bevacizumab, are used for tumors with rapid growth.
• Painkillers with narcotic properties – Promedol, Morphine, Celebrex. Can be combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics such as Ibuprofen or Indomethacin.
• Cytostatics and Cytotoxins – prescribed to patients with blood cancer. Cytostatics quickly destroy tumor cells, but have a number of side effects. Cytotoxins are softer in their action, they gradually dissolve cancer cells with the help of enzymes.

All the above-described means are used only by doctor's prescription. Independent use of anticancer drugs is contraindicated, since instead of the expected therapeutic effect, a number of uncontrolled side effects can be obtained.

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Thymosin alpha 1

Various drugs are used to treat cancer. Particular attention is paid to immunomodulators that correct the immune status. Thymosin alpha 1 is included in this pharmacological category. Its effectiveness is based on the impact on the functional activity of lymphocytes and markers.

Induces markers of mature T-cells in lymphocytes, post-differential activity of induction of lymphokines and their receptors. Increases the functions of T-cells, increasing the rate of their maturation and the ability to produce cytokines, interleukin 2, 3, interferon-gamma.

• Indications for use: chronic viral hepatitis B, compensated by liver disease and viral replication. Can be used as part of combination therapy for the treatment of viral hepatitis C and for the treatment of breast cancer.
• The drug is taken according to the scheme developed by the doctor, therefore the dosage and course of treatment are individual. No side effects of Thymosin alpha 1 have been identified.
• Contraindicated for use in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the product, for children under 18 years of age and immunosuppression. It is not used for the treatment of pregnant women and is prescribed with special caution to elderly patients.

Pharmacodynamics

The effectiveness of a drug is determined by the mechanism of action of the substances included in its composition. The pharmacodynamics of different types of cancer pills makes it possible to examine their principle of action in more detail and make a prognosis for recovery:

• Hormonal agents

Taxol is a biosynthetic antitumor agent. Its mechanism of action is associated with the stimulation of the assembly of microtubules of dimeric tubulin molecules and the stabilization of their structure. This occurs by suppressing depolymerization and disrupting the miotic functions of the cell. The active components are effective against malignant lesions of the mammary gland, testicles, lungs and various types of sarcoma.

• Antiviral agents

Isoprinosine is an immunostimulant with antiviral properties. The drug is a synthetic derivative of purine. Restores lymphocyte activity in immunodepression, increases blastogenesis, stimulates the expression of membrane receptors on T-helpers, prevents a decrease in lymphocyte activity. Stimulates cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, natural killers, T-suppressor and T-helper functions, reduces the formation of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Antiviral activity is demonstrated against Herpes simplex viruses, human T-cell lymphoma type III, cytomegalovirus, poliovirus, influenza A and B, and ECHO virus. The antiviral action is based on inhibition of viral RNA involved in viral replication.

• Cytotoxins and cytostatics

Melphalan is one of the representatives of this pharmacological category. It is used to treat multiple myeloma, true polycythemia, various types of sarcoma and neuroblastoma. Its action is associated with damage to DNA molecules and disruption of its polymerization, replication and formation of DNA and RNA with defects. This stops protein synthesis and leads to the gradual death of cancer cells.

Cytotoxicity is associated with blockade of interchain cross-links in DNA and disruption of cellular replication. Active substances are active against dormant and active tumor cells. Stimulates proliferative processes in tissues surrounding the tumor, regenerates nerve fibers. Enhances secretion of corticosterone and follicle-stimulating function of the pituitary gland.

• Toxic drugs of aggressive forms

Docetaxel is a plant-derived taxoid with antitumor activity. It is used in breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer. Its mechanism of action is associated with the accumulation of tubulin in microtubules, preventing their decay and disrupting the mitosis phase and interphase processes in tumor cells. It accumulates in cells and is active against cells that produce large amounts of p-glycoprotein.

• Universal remedies (used for all forms of oncology)

Ftorafur is a cancer treatment drug whose mechanism of action is associated with disruption of RNA and DNA synthesis. It is used for colon cancer, breast cancer, stomach lesions, diffuse neurodermatitis and cutaneous lymphomas. When entering the body, the active components are converted into 5-fluoro-deoxyuridine-5-monophosphate, penetrating tumor cells and destroying them.

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Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration or administration of a drug into the body, various chemical and biological processes occur with it. Pharmacokinetics allows us to learn more about the effectiveness of different types of anticancer drugs.

• Hormonal drugs

Taxol is intended for intravenous administration in a standard dosage of 135-175 mg/m2 for 3-24 hours. When distributed throughout the body tissues, the concentration of paclitaxel decreases according to two-phase kinetics. With an increase in dosage, the pharmacokinetics becomes nonlinear, and the concentration of the active substance in the blood plasma increases from 70% to 81%. Binding to blood plasma proteins is at the level of 89%.

The drug is metabolized in the liver with CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 isoenzymes to form the metabolite 6-alpha-hydroxypaclitaxel, 3-para-hydroxypaclitaxel and 6-alpha, 3-para-dihydroxypaclitaxel. It is excreted unchanged in the urine within 24 hours.

• Antiviral agents

Isoprinosine is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. Maximum values of the active component in the blood plasma are achieved within 1-2 hours. It is rapidly metabolized, forming two active metabolites. It is excreted by the kidneys within 24-48 hours.

• Cytotoxins and cytostatics

Melphalan is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and passes through the liver. The absorption rate depends on food intake. Active components are distributed throughout tissues and organs within 336 minutes. The maximum concentration in blood plasma is achieved within 2 hours, bioavailability is 56-27%. It is excreted by the kidneys with urine.

• Toxic drugs of aggressive forms

Docetaxel has dose-dependent kinetics, binding to plasma proteins is 95%. The drug is excreted in urine and feces within 7 days after administration. Pharmacokinetics does not depend on the age and gender of the patient. In case of liver dysfunction, the total clearance decreases by 27%.

• Universal drugs

Ftorafur is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration and is still detectable in the blood after 24 hours after a single dose. The maximum concentration in the blood plasma is achieved within 4-6 hours, bioavailability is complete. It has high lipophilicity, but is a water-soluble compound. Lipophilicity ensures rapid distribution throughout the body and passage through biological membranes. Metabolizes in the liver, excreted in feces and urine.

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Dosing and administration

In order for the treatment to be effective, it is important to select not only effective drugs, but also to prescribe the method of administration and doses. Cancer pills can be used both as monotherapy and in combination with other chemotherapy drugs of different forms of release. That is, the doctor prescribes injections, droppers and local agents to achieve a lasting treatment result.

The therapy is carried out in courses, their number and duration are individual for each patient. They depend on the stage of cancer, its location and the patient's body condition. The dosage is determined by the same principle. At first, high doses are prescribed, gradually decreasing for maintenance therapy.

Painkillers for Cancer

Painful sensations in malignant diseases occur when the tumor grows and the body reacts to the therapy used. Painkillers for cancer are prescribed at all stages of the disease. Today, many drugs are produced to eliminate pain of various origins. In order for the treatment to be effective, it is necessary to accurately determine the nature and cause of discomfort.

Types of cancer pain by origin:

1. Visceral – lesions of the abdominal organs. Unpleasant sensations do not have a clear localization, but can be defined as compression or distension. The pain is dull or aching.
2. Somatic – occur in tendons, joints, vessels, ligaments. Long-lasting, poorly defined, dull.
3. Psychogenic – appear without any specific organic lesion, therefore painkillers are ineffective in most cases. Indicate disorders of the central nervous system, emotional experiences, stress and self-hypnosis associated with the disease.
4. Neuropathic – occur when the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system is damaged.

Very often cancer patients have a combined pain syndrome, which is associated with the characteristics of cancer and its therapy. The success of treatment depends on the following factors:

• Start treatment at the first sign of discomfort.
• Taking medications on schedule to anticipate and prevent painful sensations.
• Selection of an analgesic taking into account the intensity of the pain syndrome and the characteristics of the body.
• Informing the patient about the effects of the prescribed drugs, a detailed plan for their use and information about possible side effects.

To treat pain associated with cancer, a three-step regimen developed by the World Health Organization in 1998 is used:

1. Use of non-narcotic analgesics and adjuvant drugs - these can be: Paracetamol, Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Piroxicam, Indomethacin, Lornoxicam. The drugs stop mild pain, and their use with narcotic analgesics is effective for severe discomfort. To relieve pain caused by tumor growth, steroids are used: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Rofecoxib.
2. Weak opioids, non-narcotic analgesics, adjuvant agents - Codeine, Tramadol - 4-6 times a day, 50-100 mg. A combination of the following drugs can be used: Codeine, Hydrocodone and Aspirin, i.e. an opioid and a non-narcotic analgesic.
3. Strong opioids, non-narcotic analgesics, adjuvant medications – Morphine, Buprenorphine, Oxycodone, Alfentanil, Methadone, Fentanyl, Buprenorphine and other drugs that act on the central nervous system.

In case of severe pain, its connection with the disease must be identified. For example, with metastatic lesions of the meninges, infectious processes or lesions of internal organs. For this, the patient undergoes CT, ultrasound, MRI and a number of other tests. After establishing the true cause of the pathological condition, the doctor selects painkillers.

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Use cancer pills during pregnancy

Oncological diseases during pregnancy are rare. According to medical statistics, there is only 1 such case per 1000 pregnancies. Very often, neither the doctor nor the patient is sure that the treatment will be effective, and most importantly, safe. But it is important to understand that cancer very rarely affects the fetus, despite the fact that some types of it spread through the placenta. Therefore, a woman with cancer is quite capable of giving birth to a healthy child.

The treatment process is long and difficult. The possibility of using cancer pills during pregnancy is determined by the attending physician. The task of doctors is to choose the optimal type of therapy with minimal risks for the mother and fetus.

Cancer pills taken by a pregnant woman may affect the fetus in the following ways:

• They cause developmental disorders and anomalies.
• Lead to death of the fetus.
• They alter the functions of the placenta due to the narrowing of blood vessels.
• Disruption of oxygen and nutrient exchange between mother and fetus.
• They provoke active contraction of the uterine muscles, which harms the fetus by reducing blood supply.

The type of treatment depends on the following factors: gestational age of the fetus, type, location and size of the neoplasm, characteristics of the patient's body. This is due to the fact that many drugs and treatment methods can harm the child, especially in the first months of gestation. Therefore, in most cases, therapy is carried out in the second and third trimesters (the placenta acts as a barrier between the mother and child, preventing medications from passing through) or is postponed until the child is born.

The prognosis for recovery of a pregnant woman is in most cases the same as for non-pregnant women. But if treatment is postponed until after delivery, this increases the risk of tumor growth, worsening the chances of recovery. The prognosis may worsen due to the large amount of hormones produced, which increases the risk of hormone-dependent forms of cancer. Particular attention is paid to the choice of drugs, since taking many medications puts the lactation process into question.

Contraindications

Cancer pills, like any other drugs, have contraindications for use. Let's consider the most common of them using the example of the universal anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil:

• Intolerance to the active substance and auxiliary components of the drug.
• Pregnancy and lactation (use is possible when the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the risks to the fetus).
• Low platelet and white blood cell counts.

The drug is used with special caution in cases of renal or hepatic insufficiency, acute infectious lesions of any etiology, cachexia, radiation or chemotherapy in the anamnesis. And also for the treatment of pediatric and elderly patients (for some drugs it is an absolute contraindication).

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Side effects cancer pills

Cancer treatment is associated not only with the risk of death, but also with the side effects of the drugs used. Conservative therapy used a couple of decades ago caused severe complications and required long-term rehabilitation. Modern cancer pills and other drugs have fewer side effects, so they are easier for patients to tolerate.

Let's consider the possible side effects of drug therapy for oncology:

• Nausea, vomiting, constipation/diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders occur due to severe intoxication of the body. To minimize these symptoms, chemotherapy drugs are taken simultaneously with antiemetics, which alleviate the patient's condition.
• Reactions caused by bone marrow dysfunction – side effects of this type are the most dangerous. This is due to the fact that bone marrow saturates the blood with red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Cytostatics slow down the production of these cells, causing:
• Weakness and increased fatigue – appear as a result of a decrease in the number of red blood cells.
• A weakened immune system and frequent viral and bacterial infections are the result of decreased lymphocyte production.
• Frequent bleeding, subcutaneous hematomas - occur due to impaired blood clotting against the background of a platelet deficiency.
• Alopecia - hair loss is the body's reaction to toxic substances. However, not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss. Some drugs reduce the amount of hair or deplete hair follicles. This symptom is temporary. That is, in a couple of months the hair will be completely restored.

To prevent adverse reactions and minimize their severity, patients are prescribed antiviral drugs, glandular preparations, vitamins and minerals. Monitoring of vital functions is mandatory. In particularly severe cases, blood transfusions are performed to restore its parameters.

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Overdose

Violation of medical recommendations or conditions of the instructions for use of cancer pills threatens serious negative reactions from many organs and systems. Overdose in most cases is manifested by increased side effects. Patients experience the following symptoms:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Pain of various localizations.
• Headaches, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
• Disorders of the cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems.
• Stomatitis.
• Secondary infections.
• Various dermatological reactions and other symptoms.

To eliminate them, an antidote is used, if it is not available, then symptomatic therapy is indicated. In particularly severe cases, the use of the drug is stopped, blood transfusions are performed, and vital functions are monitored.

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Interactions with other drugs

Very often, a comprehensive approach is used to treat malignant diseases. Its goal is a comprehensive impact on the tumor and interaction with other drugs. All medications are selected by a doctor, focusing on their compatibility and possible side effects.

• Hormonal drugs

Taxol in combination with doxorubicin increases its concentration, but reduces the clearance of paclitaxel (the active component of Taxol) by 33%. When used before doxorubicin, symptoms of neutropenia and stomatitis appear. When interacting with ranitidine, cimetidine or dexamethasone, no disturbances in the binding of paclitaxel to blood proteins are observed.

• Antiviral agents

When Isoprinosine is used with immunosuppressants, the activity of the former decreases. Uricosuric drugs, diuretics and xanthine oxidase inhibitors increase the risk of increasing uric acid in the blood serum.

• Cytotoxins and cytostatics

Melphalan weakens the results of immunization with inactivated vaccines. Radiation therapy, Levomycetin, Aminazine and myelotoxic agents cause thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. When administered with cyclosporine, it provokes severe renal failure.

• Toxic drugs of aggressive forms

Docetaxel should be used with caution with drugs that induce, inhibit or are metabolized by the cytochrome P450-3A system. It does not affect the action of digitoxin and its binding to plasma proteins. When combined with doxorubicin, docetaxel clearance increases, but its effectiveness is preserved. When interacting with cisplatin and carboplatin, the pharmacological properties of the drugs do not change.

• Universal drugs

Fluorofur, when interacting with phenytoin, enhances its effect, increases the effectiveness of any other chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. When used with inhibitors of microsomal oxidation in the liver, the toxic effect of Fluorofur increases.

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Storage conditions

Anticancer drugs in tablet form should be kept in the original packaging, protected from sunlight and out of reach of children. According to storage conditions, the temperature should be from 15°C to 25°C.

When using injection drugs, unopened vials should be kept in the refrigerator. If sediment appears during storage, the vial is warmed to room temperature and shaken to dissolve it, which does not impair the quality of the drug. If the vial remains cloudy and there is an insoluble sediment, the drug is not used. Freezing is contraindicated. Diluted solutions must be used within 24 hours from the moment of preparation of the infusion, while maintaining a temperature regime of up to 25 ° C.

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Shelf life

When using any medication, you need to pay attention to the date of manufacture. Cancer pills have different expiration dates, usually from 24 to 36 months (indicated on the drug packaging). After the expiration of the specified date, the drug is contraindicated for use and must be disposed of.

The shelf life is also affected by the storage conditions. If the tablets have changed color or structure, acquired a smell, then they should be thrown away.

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The latest drugs for cancer treatment

Medicine and pharmacology do not stand still, so every year the newest drugs for cancer treatment are developed. This increases the chances of curing the pathology even in the most severe cases. For example, the Swiss laboratory Roche is testing several modern drugs. One of them is Avastin - developed for the treatment of bowel, bronchial and breast cancer, Herceptin - used for breast oncology, and Mabthera - for lymphoma. Despite their effectiveness, the drugs are quite expensive.

Let's look at the newest and most popular drugs:

• Herceptin – used for breast cancer. Affects HER 2 receptors of the tumor, quickly destroying defective cells. Improves chances of survival, has a minimum of side effects.
• Xeloda is an oral cytostatic for the treatment of breast cancer and colorectal pathologies. The peculiarity of this drug is that it can be used both in outpatient and home settings. The drug has a tumor-activated mechanism of action, which is aimed at destroying malignant cells. It promotes rapid reduction in tumor size with minimal side effects.
• Tarceva is a drug that stabilizes the tumor. Its action is aimed at blocking the receptors responsible for the growth of the tumor. It has a tablet form of release, it is used for various cancerous lesions of the body.
• ZL105 is an inorganic chemical compound based on iridium. It causes an energy imbalance inside cancer cells, causing their destruction. The drug is effective in the treatment of melanoma, kidney cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. It is suitable for patients with chemotherapy-resistant forms of oncology.
• Chlorambucil – its action is aimed at disrupting DNA replication and destroying malignant cells. This occurs through interaction with nucleophilic centers of DNA and the formation of covalent bonds.
• Temodex – released in 2016, is a more affordable analogue of the American drug Gliadel. It is produced in the form of a transparent gel, which is applied to the bed of the removed tumor and surrounding tissues. According to experimental studies, life expectancy increases by 1.5 times.
• Prospidelong – used to treat abdominal tumors. It is available in powder form, which must be diluted in sterile distilled water to turn it into a transparent gel. The product is applied to the tumor site, sutures, ligatures and skin after removal of lymph nodes. According to clinical studies, it prevents cancer recurrence in 100% of cases after previous tumor removal surgery. Serial production of the drug is planned for 2017.
• Cisplacel - the peculiarity of this drug is its form of release - a soft knitted napkin made of biologically absorbable gel with anti-cancer properties. The napkin is attached to the site of the removed tumor. It gradually dissolves within 20-30 days, that is, it provides continuous chemotherapy. Reduces the risk of relapse by 40% and increases life expectancy by 60%. It is used in neurosurgery to treat tumors of the brain, neck and head.

Despite the number of effective drugs available to treat cancer, the best treatment is prevention and early diagnosis.

Cancer Prevention Pills

There are many methods used to prevent cancer. Cancer prevention pills are, at first glance, an ideal means of protection against malignant lesions. But do not forget that any drug brings not only benefits, but also harm to the body.

A mechanism for the prevention of oncology has been developed, which consists of the following stages:

1. Healthy lifestyle, elimination of bad habits.
2. Timely diagnosis of precancerous conditions, monitoring of people at risk.
3. Prevention of relapse of the disease and its metastasis.

Of the medications, drugs that remove carcinogens from the body, i.e. vitamins, are recommended. Preference should be given to vitamins C, A and their derivatives.

Any other cancer pills are used only on medical prescription. Most often, patients are prescribed the following preventive agents: Terapikar, NovoMin, Unkarin, Nattokinase, Oxin and others. A comprehensive approach allows us to identify precancerous background processes and dynamically monitor patients.