Question

SP has a biopsy of the lung nodules and is diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The cancer center has had good success in limited stage SCLC using radiation and chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide. Where in the cell cycle do cisplatin and etoposide work?

Answer 1

Cisplatin and etoposide work in different phases of the cell cycle to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Cisplatin works during the S phase, inhibiting DNA replication, while etoposide targets the G2 phase, preventing DNA repair.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cisplatin and etoposide, two chemotherapy drugs used to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC), target different phases of the cell cycle.

Cisplatin primarily works during the S phase of the cell cycle. It forms covalent bonds with DNA, causing cross-linking and inhibiting DNA replication.

Etoposide, on the other hand, mainly targets the G2 phase of the cell cycle. It inhibits the enzyme topoisomerase II, preventing DNA from being properly repaired and resulting in DNA damage and cell death.