Types of chemotherapy drugs: Which drugs are used in chemotherapy?
What are the different types of chemotherapy? Chemotherapy drugs are classified by their structure and function. They fall mainly into the following five classifications: • Alkylating agents are known for their chemical action, which interferes with cell division. They are called noncell cycle specific agents because they attack all cells in a tumor whether the cells are resting or dividing. They work by stopping or slowing down cell growth. • Antimetabolites are drugs which interfere with the cells' ability to replicate. These drugs are designed to starve cancer cells by interfering with vital life processes. They fool the cell by introducing the wrong building elements or blocking synthesis of the right ones. • Natural products include plant alkaloids and antibiotics. Plant alkaloids stop cell division at one of its phases. Antibiotics are made from molds like penicillin but are stronger and do not act in the same way as regular antibiotics. Rather, they interfere with c...