Platinum drugs exert their cytotoxic effect primarily by which mechanism?

Platinum drugs exert their cytotoxic effect primarily by which mechanism?

• A. Binding to DNA and RNA with miscoding and inhibition of replication
• B. Stabilizing microtubules
• C. Inhibiting protein synthesis
• D. Interfering with lipid synthesis

Answer: (A)

Platinum anticancer drugs act primarily by binding to DNA and forming covalent crosslinks. These platinum-DNA adducts distort the DNA helix, blocking replication and transcription and causing miscoding during synthesis. The resulting irreparable DNA damage activates cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, which is especially effective against rapidly dividing cancer cells. The other mechanisms described belong to different drug classes and are not the primary way platinum agents kill cancer cells.

Platinum anticancer drugs act primarily by binding to DNA and forming covalent crosslinks. These platinum-DNA adducts distort the DNA helix, blocking replication and transcription and causing miscoding during synthesis. The resulting irreparable DNA damage activates cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, which is especially effective against rapidly dividing cancer cells. The other mechanisms described belong to different drug classes and are not the primary way platinum agents kill cancer cells.