Anti-Cancer Drugs (A2 Only)
Chemistry: AQA A Level, topic 6.7.4
Anti-Cancer Drugs
DNA replication depends on unzipping the DNA strands of the double helix. Drugs can prevent this replication for cancerous cells.
Cause of cancer
- Cancer is caused by malfunctioning DNA replication.
- If the DNA sequence is incomplete, damaged or altered, it can lead to medical problems.
- This can come from exposure to radiation or carcinogenic chemicals.
- In cancerous cells, mutations happen and DNA replication is uncontrolled.
Cisplatin
- Cisplatin is an anti-cancer drug.
- Cisplatin is a square planar platinum complex with two ammonia and two chloride ligands.
- Cisplatin undergoes a ligand exchange reaction in the body and binds to nitrogenous bases in DNA.
- Cisplatin can prevent DNA replication by attaching to nitrogenous bases of the two strands of the double helix. This inhibits the unzipping of the DNA strands.
Cisplatin issues
- A problem with this anticancer drug is its adverse side effects.
- Cisplatin is NOT selective and also stops normal cells from replicating.
- So patients become unwell when taking the medication.
Test yourself on Anti-Cancer Drugs (A2 Only)
Cisplatin is a complex of which type of metal?
Which of the following is a negative to cisplatin?