Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCytotoxic DrugsIn Humans and AnimalsHow They WorkDangers
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cytotoxic Drugs
In Humans and Animals
How They Work
Dangers
Cytotoxicmeans that a substance or process can damage cells or cause them to die. “Cyto” means cell and “toxic” means poison.
You might hear the word when talking aboutchemotherapy drugsthat kill cancer cells. It can also describe othertoxins like venomfrom snakes. The human immune system even has cells that are cytotoxic: T-cells kill bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.
This article will go over the different types of cytotoxic substances. You will also learn how to protect yourself from something that is cytotoxic.
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How Does Chemo Affect Your Immune System?
An example of a cytotoxic medication is chemotherapy, which acts oncancer cells. The drugs work on cells that are growing very fast. Cancer cells, hair follicles, bone marrow, and cells in the stomach and intestines are examples of rapidly-growing cells.
Cytotoxic drugs interrupt cells at certain places in the growth cycle.Since cells are in different places in the division process, they can’t all be killed at once. That’s whychemotherapy regimensusually include acombination of drugsand the cycles of treatment have to be repeated.
Cytotoxic v. CytostaticWhile the names look similar, a cytotoxic agent is different from a cytostatic one. Cytostatic medications stop cell division and growth but do not directly cause cells to die.
Cytotoxic v. Cytostatic
While the names look similar, a cytotoxic agent is different from a cytostatic one. Cytostatic medications stop cell division and growth but do not directly cause cells to die.
Chemotherapy drugs are made to kill all the cells that are growing fast—even normal cells. However, not all drugs that treat cancer are cytotoxic.
There are someimmunotherapiesthat are considered somewhat cytotoxic because they take advantage of the cell-destroying actions of the body’s own T-cells. An example of this type of treatment is CAR-T therapy.
What Happens During CAR-T Treatment?
Cytotoxic Agents in Humans and Animals
Cytotoxic substances can also be found in humans and animals.
Cytotoxic T-cells
One exciting area of cancer research is focused on using the body’s own cytotoxic cells to fight cancer.For example,CD8+cells and natural killer lymphocytes are the immune system’s own cytotoxic cells.
These treatments work in different ways. Some help T-cells “see” cancer cells that were previously hidden, while others harvest and make more of the cells.
Cancer Cells vs. Normal Cells
Cytotoxic Venom
Humans are not the only creatures that have cytotoxic T-cells. For example,venomsfound in vipers, cobras, and violin spiders are cytotoxic.
RecapCytotoxic substances are harmful to cells. Cytotoxic medications, like chemotherapy drugs, are made to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. Other cytotoxic substances are found in nature, like venom from some snakes.Your body even produces its own cytotoxic cells that are a key player in your immune system.
Recap
Cytotoxic substances are harmful to cells. Cytotoxic medications, like chemotherapy drugs, are made to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. Other cytotoxic substances are found in nature, like venom from some snakes.Your body even produces its own cytotoxic cells that are a key player in your immune system.
Cytotoxic substances are harmful to cells. Cytotoxic medications, like chemotherapy drugs, are made to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. Other cytotoxic substances are found in nature, like venom from some snakes.
Your body even produces its own cytotoxic cells that are a key player in your immune system.
Mechanism of Action
Cytotoxic agents can kill cells in a few ways. An agent may weaken a cell’s membrane, which usually makes the cell explode (called lysis). Some agents make cells stop growing and dividing.
There are also agents that work onthe DNAinside cells. These aregenotoxic, rather than cytotoxic, substances.
Cytotoxic vs. Genotoxic
It’s easy to confuse the terms “cytotoxic” and “genotoxic.” Cytotoxic means a substance causes damage to cells. Genotoxic means a substance directly damages the DNA in cells.
When DNA is damaged, it may or may not die. A cell with damaged DNA is said to have mutations. If the mutated cells don’t get fixed, it can lead to cancer and non-cancer diseases.
Cancer often happens when there are mutations in two kinds of genes:
Genes, DNA, and Chromosomes
Carcinogenicity and Mutagenicity
To understand cytotoxicity, there are two other important words to know:carcinogenicandmutagenic.
The risks of cancer and the potential effects on a developing fetus are why it’s important that people handle cytotoxic substances very carefully.
RecapCytotoxic drugs can kill cells or stop them from growing and dividing. Genotoxic drugs cause damage to the DNA inside the cells.Carcinogens damage DNA in cells. This causes mutations that can lead to cancer. Mutagenic substances can harm the genes in a developing fetus.
Cytotoxic drugs can kill cells or stop them from growing and dividing. Genotoxic drugs cause damage to the DNA inside the cells.Carcinogens damage DNA in cells. This causes mutations that can lead to cancer. Mutagenic substances can harm the genes in a developing fetus.
Cytotoxic drugs can kill cells or stop them from growing and dividing. Genotoxic drugs cause damage to the DNA inside the cells.
Carcinogens damage DNA in cells. This causes mutations that can lead to cancer. Mutagenic substances can harm the genes in a developing fetus.
Dangers of Cytotoxic Substances
Cytotoxic drugs kill cancer cells but they can also damage normal, healthy cells. Many of theside effects from chemotherapyare related to this process.
Taking Precautions
People who work with cytotoxic medications or substances need to be very careful. The specific steps they need to take depend on how they might be exposed to a substance.
Precautions a person might need to take when handling cytotoxic substances include:
Patients going through cancer treatment may need to take cytotoxic precautions when they go home. These measures protect their family members who could be accidentally exposed to body fluids that have cytotoxic chemicals in them.
8 Things to Know Before Your First Chemo Treatment
Cytotoxicity Testing
Cytotoxicity testing helps people stay safe where they live and work. It also helps companies make sure that products like medical devices are safe. If something is labeled cytotoxic, a person will know that they need to take precautions when they are handling it.
Many manufacturers use cytotoxicity testing, including those that make drugs and cosmetics. Plant products used for extracts are also tested for toxicity.
RecapPeople who handle cytotoxic substances need to be very careful. There are steps they can take to stay safe, like wearing gloves and gear that protect them from the substances.People getting chemotherapy may need to take precautions to avoid accidentally exposing people around them to the cytotoxic medicines they are taking.
People who handle cytotoxic substances need to be very careful. There are steps they can take to stay safe, like wearing gloves and gear that protect them from the substances.People getting chemotherapy may need to take precautions to avoid accidentally exposing people around them to the cytotoxic medicines they are taking.
People who handle cytotoxic substances need to be very careful. There are steps they can take to stay safe, like wearing gloves and gear that protect them from the substances.
People getting chemotherapy may need to take precautions to avoid accidentally exposing people around them to the cytotoxic medicines they are taking.
Summary
People who have to handle cytotoxic substances need to be very careful. Since these substances harm cells, they can increase the risk of cancer. They can also have negative effects on a fetus.
A Word From Verywell
The word “cytotoxic” can look scary—especially if you see the label on medicine you need to take. The word means that a substance can damage or kill cells. However, these substances also occur in nature. Your body even makes its own cytotoxic substances that help your immune system fight.
It’s important to understand how cytotoxic substances work because they are dangerous. If you handle them, you need to take precautions to protect yourself and the environment from their harsh effects.
EPA Plans to Regulate Toxic, Widespread ‘Forever Chemicals’
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Andersen MH, Schrama D, Thor straten P, Becker JC.Cytotoxic T cells.J Invest Dermatol. 2006;126(1):32-41. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5700001Bai J, Li Y, Zhang G.Cell cycle regulation and anticancer drug discovery.Cancer Biol Med. 2017;14(4):348–362. doi:10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2017.0033Papaioannou NE, Beniata OV, Vitsos P, Tsitsilonis O, Samara P.Harnessing the immune system to improve cancer therapy.Ann Transl Med. 2016;4(14):261. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.04.01Bracci L, Schiavoni G, Sistigu A, Belardelli F.Immune-based mechanisms of cytotoxic chemotherapy: implications for the design of novel and rationale-based combined treatments against cancer.Cell Death Differ. 2014;21(1):15–25. doi:10.1038/cdd.2013.67Casey SC, Vaccari M, Al-Mulla F, et al.The effect of environmental chemicals on the tumor microenvironment.Carcinogenesis. 2015;36 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S160–S183. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgv035Szikriszt B, Póti Á, Pipek O, et al.A comprehensive survey of the mutagenic impact of common cancer cytotoxics.Genome Biol. 2016;17:99. doi:10.1186/s13059-016-0963-7Meade E.Avoiding accidental exposure to intravenous cytotoxic drugs.Br J Nurs. 2014;23(16):S34, S36-9. doi:10.12968/bjon.2014.23.Sup16.S34Riss TL, Moravec RA, Niles AL.Cytotoxicity testing: measuring viable cells, dead cells, and detecting mechanism of cell death.Methods Mol Biol. 2011;740:103-14. doi:10.1007/978-1-61779-108-6_12
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Andersen MH, Schrama D, Thor straten P, Becker JC.Cytotoxic T cells.J Invest Dermatol. 2006;126(1):32-41. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5700001Bai J, Li Y, Zhang G.Cell cycle regulation and anticancer drug discovery.Cancer Biol Med. 2017;14(4):348–362. doi:10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2017.0033Papaioannou NE, Beniata OV, Vitsos P, Tsitsilonis O, Samara P.Harnessing the immune system to improve cancer therapy.Ann Transl Med. 2016;4(14):261. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.04.01Bracci L, Schiavoni G, Sistigu A, Belardelli F.Immune-based mechanisms of cytotoxic chemotherapy: implications for the design of novel and rationale-based combined treatments against cancer.Cell Death Differ. 2014;21(1):15–25. doi:10.1038/cdd.2013.67Casey SC, Vaccari M, Al-Mulla F, et al.The effect of environmental chemicals on the tumor microenvironment.Carcinogenesis. 2015;36 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S160–S183. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgv035Szikriszt B, Póti Á, Pipek O, et al.A comprehensive survey of the mutagenic impact of common cancer cytotoxics.Genome Biol. 2016;17:99. doi:10.1186/s13059-016-0963-7Meade E.Avoiding accidental exposure to intravenous cytotoxic drugs.Br J Nurs. 2014;23(16):S34, S36-9. doi:10.12968/bjon.2014.23.Sup16.S34Riss TL, Moravec RA, Niles AL.Cytotoxicity testing: measuring viable cells, dead cells, and detecting mechanism of cell death.Methods Mol Biol. 2011;740:103-14. doi:10.1007/978-1-61779-108-6_12
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Andersen MH, Schrama D, Thor straten P, Becker JC.Cytotoxic T cells.J Invest Dermatol. 2006;126(1):32-41. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5700001Bai J, Li Y, Zhang G.Cell cycle regulation and anticancer drug discovery.Cancer Biol Med. 2017;14(4):348–362. doi:10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2017.0033Papaioannou NE, Beniata OV, Vitsos P, Tsitsilonis O, Samara P.Harnessing the immune system to improve cancer therapy.Ann Transl Med. 2016;4(14):261. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.04.01Bracci L, Schiavoni G, Sistigu A, Belardelli F.Immune-based mechanisms of cytotoxic chemotherapy: implications for the design of novel and rationale-based combined treatments against cancer.Cell Death Differ. 2014;21(1):15–25. doi:10.1038/cdd.2013.67Casey SC, Vaccari M, Al-Mulla F, et al.The effect of environmental chemicals on the tumor microenvironment.Carcinogenesis. 2015;36 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S160–S183. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgv035Szikriszt B, Póti Á, Pipek O, et al.A comprehensive survey of the mutagenic impact of common cancer cytotoxics.Genome Biol. 2016;17:99. doi:10.1186/s13059-016-0963-7Meade E.Avoiding accidental exposure to intravenous cytotoxic drugs.Br J Nurs. 2014;23(16):S34, S36-9. doi:10.12968/bjon.2014.23.Sup16.S34Riss TL, Moravec RA, Niles AL.Cytotoxicity testing: measuring viable cells, dead cells, and detecting mechanism of cell death.Methods Mol Biol. 2011;740:103-14. doi:10.1007/978-1-61779-108-6_12
Andersen MH, Schrama D, Thor straten P, Becker JC.Cytotoxic T cells.J Invest Dermatol. 2006;126(1):32-41. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5700001
Bai J, Li Y, Zhang G.Cell cycle regulation and anticancer drug discovery.Cancer Biol Med. 2017;14(4):348–362. doi:10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2017.0033
Papaioannou NE, Beniata OV, Vitsos P, Tsitsilonis O, Samara P.Harnessing the immune system to improve cancer therapy.Ann Transl Med. 2016;4(14):261. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.04.01
Bracci L, Schiavoni G, Sistigu A, Belardelli F.Immune-based mechanisms of cytotoxic chemotherapy: implications for the design of novel and rationale-based combined treatments against cancer.Cell Death Differ. 2014;21(1):15–25. doi:10.1038/cdd.2013.67
Casey SC, Vaccari M, Al-Mulla F, et al.The effect of environmental chemicals on the tumor microenvironment.Carcinogenesis. 2015;36 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S160–S183. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgv035
Szikriszt B, Póti Á, Pipek O, et al.A comprehensive survey of the mutagenic impact of common cancer cytotoxics.Genome Biol. 2016;17:99. doi:10.1186/s13059-016-0963-7
Meade E.Avoiding accidental exposure to intravenous cytotoxic drugs.Br J Nurs. 2014;23(16):S34, S36-9. doi:10.12968/bjon.2014.23.Sup16.S34
Riss TL, Moravec RA, Niles AL.Cytotoxicity testing: measuring viable cells, dead cells, and detecting mechanism of cell death.Methods Mol Biol. 2011;740:103-14. doi:10.1007/978-1-61779-108-6_12
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