Chemotherapy and Toxicology · USMLE Step 1

Which anti-cancer drug class exerts its effect by inhibiting topoisomerase enzymes, thus preventing DNA unwinding and replication?

  1. Mitotic inhibitors
  2. Antimetabolites
  3. Topoisomerase inhibitors
  4. Alkylating agents
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Correct answer: Topoisomerase inhibitors

Topoisomerase inhibitors block topoisomerase I or II, enzymes required for relieving DNA supercoiling during replication/transcription, thereby inducing DNA damage and apoptosis.

Difficulty: Medium Question 8 of 20

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