Question

Chemotherapeutic drugs target cell processes that prevent cell growth and replication by disrupting essential enzymes. True or False

Answer 1

The statement is true.

In terms of chemotherapeutic drugs for treating cancers different chemicals (either naturally obtained from plants or man-made) are used as drugs to stop the abnormal growth of cancer cells by disrupting cell growth and replication by disrupting enzymes required for it.

For ex- an antimetabolite drug called Methotrexate inhibits the enzyme  dihydrofolate reductase. Topoisomerase inhibitors,etc

Other than disrupting enzymes, the drugs can also directly kill the dividing cells by getting incorporated into the DNA or by disturbing it by intercalation or by preventing microtubule formation.