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What are cytotoxic drugs and how do they work?

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What are cytotoxic drugs and how do they work?

Cytotoxic drugs are toxic (poisonous) to cancer cells. They kill cancer cells or stop them from multiplying. Different cytotoxic drugs do this in different ways. However, they all tend to work by interfering with some aspect of how the cells divide and multiply. For example, some work by affecting the genetic material of the cell directly, others work by blocking cells from using nutrients needed to divide and multiply.

Two or more cytotoxic drugs are often used in a course of chemotherapy, each with a different way of working. This may give a better chance of success than using only one.

There are many different cytotoxic drugs used in the treatment of cancer. In each case the one (or ones) chosen depend on the type and stage of your cancer. Research continues to find new drugs, and better drug combinations. Your doctor will advise the best treatment for your type of cancer based on evidence from the most recent research trials.

Cytotoxic drugs work best in cancers where the cancer cells are rapidly dividing and multiplying. Most normal cells in the body such as muscle cells, heart cells, brain cells, and bone cells do not divide and multiply very often. They are not usually much affected by cytotoxic drugs.

However, some normal cells in the body divide and multiply quite rapidly. For example, hair cells, bone marrow cells, and cells lining the mouth and gut. These may be affected by cytotoxic drugs and lead to side-effects (see below). As a general rule, normal cells can renew themselves much better than cancer cells and then can usually recover quite well following treatment.

By Katie McPhilimy