Introduction
Cytostatics are drugs that inhibit the growth and proliferation of cells in the body. These substances can be produced both naturally and synthetically
Field of application
Cytostatic drugs are mainly used in the field of chemotherapy for cancer. In this context, they are intended to prevent the “degenerated” tumor cells from multiplying and spreading further. However, cytostatic drugs are also used in some autoimmune diseases.
Here, for example, methotrexate is used against various forms of arthritis. Cytostatic drugs are administered intravenously, i.e. through an infusion into the body, and thus exert their effect throughout the entire body. Some cytostatic drugs can also be taken in tablet form.
Mode of action
The intake of cytostatic drugs inhibits cell growth and cell proliferation. This has a particular effect on rapidly growing cells. Since cancer cells grow very fast and divide rapidly, the cytostatic drugs act selectively on these cells.
But the cells of the skin and mucous membrane also multiply very quickly, so that damage often occurs as side effects. The cytostatic drugs are assigned to different groups which differ in their mode of action. The cytostatic drug either alters the genetic material (the DNA) of the tumor cell so that correct cell division cannot occur or the metabolism of the cell is affected in such a way that it dies.
Subsequently, the defective or dead cells are broken down by the body and tumor growth is stopped. In the best case, the tumor size even decreases and the tumor disappears. Whether the therapy with the cytostatic drug is effective can be seen after a few days, sometimes even after a few weeks.
Therapy with a cytostatic drug is considered successful when the tumor disappears, shrinks or at least stops growing. In many cases, different cytostatic drugs are combined with each other during chemotherapy. The different substances attack at different sites of cell proliferation and cell growth, so that the individual substances can often be used in a lower dosage. This has the advantage that the side effects are often less severe.
