Table V. Chemotherapeutic agents in hematological tumours and mechanism of action.

Antracycline antibiotics:
daunurobicine, doxorubicine, adriamycine
– act by interposing between DNA
Alkylating agents:
cyclophosphamide, Thioguanine, dacarbazine, mechlorethamine, Busulfan, procarbazine
– Crosslinking of DNA, which prevents uncoiling of the DNA-double -helix
Antimetabolities:
Cytarabine, mercaptopurine, Methotrexate
– False substrate during DNA or RNA synthesis
Vinca alkaloids:
Vincristine, vinblastine
– prevent cells from undergoing mitosis by disrupting microtubule polymerisation
Others:
ATRA, Hydroxyurea, alfa-Interferon, Imatinib
– check paragraph 6 for mechanisms of action

Published adverse-effects of these products: check www.motherisk.org