Etoposide, Teniposide

Summary

Etoposide and teniposide are topoisomerase II inhibitors. By inhibiting topoisomerase II, these -posides prevent DNA strand breaks from being repaired and increase the rate of DNA degradation. These drugs are effective in the treatment of cancers, but patients taking them may experience myelosuppression, alopecia, and GI upset. 

Key Points

• Etoposide, Teniposide
  • Mechanism
    • Inhibit DNA topoisomerase II
      • Increased DNA degradation
  • Clinical use
    • Solid tumors (particularly testicular and small cell lung cancer)
    • Leukemia
    • Lymphomas
    • Solid + wet = all cancers
  • Adverse effects
    • Myelosuppression
    • Alopecia
    • GI upset