In this course we discuss the early findings with regard to the kinetics of tumor cell death that lead to current approaches to the treatment of cancer. For the major classes of cytotoxic agents that are used in veterinary medicine we have a detailed discussion of the mechanisms of action and potential mechanisms leading to intrinsic and/or acquired resistance. We also discuss some of the concepts that underlie combination chemotherapy and finally, provide some examples of the link between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of some chemotherapy agents.   

Learning Objectives

• Describe the kinetic basis of cancer drug therapy
• Describe determinants of intrinsic tumor cell sensitivity, specifically related to drug class and cell-intrinsic factors 
• Describe putative mechanisms of action for anti-cancer agents used in veterinary medicine 
• Describe key components driving efficacy of combination chemotherapy: dose intensity and effect of schedule 
• List and provide examples of tumor cell resistance mechanisms for anti-cancer agents used in veterinary medicine: intrinsic resistance, acquired resistance and pharmacokinetic factors influencing dose-response relationship 
• Describe the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships driving efficacy and toxicity for select drugs: carboplatin and doxorubicin