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Cell cycle phase specific chemotherapy agents are effective against ______________ (fast/slow) growing tumors

A) Fast
B) Slow

User VAndrei
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Final answer:

Cell cycle phase specific chemotherapy agents are most effective against fast growing tumors, as they target rapidly dividing cells, which characterize these types of cancers.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cell cycle phase specific chemotherapy agents are effective against fast growing tumors. Such chemotherapy drugs target cells that are rapidly dividing, which is a common characteristic of many types of cancer. Colon cancers, as an example, are typically slow growing; therefore, they might be less affected by these specific agents which are designed to interfere with cell division. The effectiveness of chemotherapy is partly due to its impact on these rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Since chemotherapy drugs affect rapidly dividing cells in general, their toxicity can also harm healthy tissues that have high replacement rates, such as the intestinal lining and bone marrow. This results in side effects associated with chemotherapy. Moreover, the use of combination chemotherapy, which involves two or more drugs given at the same time, aims to increase effectiveness and counteract drug resistance that cancer cells might develop.

User Taywee
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