First published at 20:34 UTC on September 11th, 2021.
THE FDA WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS.
Cytotoxic refers to a substance or process which results in cell damage or cell death. The prefix "cyto" refers to cell and "toxic" to poison. The term is often used to describe chemotherapy drugs…
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THE FDA WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS.
Cytotoxic refers to a substance or process which results in cell damage or cell death. The prefix "cyto" refers to cell and "toxic" to poison. The term is often used to describe chemotherapy drugs that kill cancer cells, but it may also be used to describe toxins, such as venom. Within our own immune systems, we have cells that are considered cytotoxic, such as the T cells that kill bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.
Cytotoxic Drugs
Most of the time the term "cytotoxic" refers to the effect that a chemotherapy drug has on cancer cells. In this sense, a cytotoxic agent may be differentiated from one that is cytostatic.
Cytotoxic agents can kill cells in several ways. They may harm the cell so that its cell membrane is weakened and the cell explodes (lysis) or they may interfere with cell division so the cell stops growing and dividing.
The terminology can be very confusing when looking at drugs or other substances that damage cells or DNA in cells.
Original Video: https://youtu.be/Du2wm5nhTXY
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