APHON Principles of Chemotherapy and Biotherapy 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Bone marrow suppression is indeed a well-documented and common side effect of alkylating agents, which are a class of chemotherapy drugs used to treat various forms of cancer. Alkylating agents work by introducing alkyl groups into the DNA, leading to cross-linking and eventual DNA damage, which inhibits cell division and promotes cell death in rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells.

However, normal cells that divide quickly, such as those in the bone marrow, are also affected by this mechanism. This can result in myelosuppression, where the production of blood cells is reduced, leading to conditions such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Each of these conditions carries its own health implications, including increased risk of infection, bleeding, and fatigue, which are significant considerations in the management of patients receiving chemotherapy.

In contrast, options such as cleavage, diarrhea, and cardiac arrhythmias are not typically associated with alkylating agents. While diarrhea can occur with some chemotherapeutic agents, it is not a primary concern for alkylating agents. Cardiac arrhythmias may be related to other classes of drugs or specific patient conditions, rather than being a direct effect of alkylating agents. Thus, bone marrow suppression