A patient with an aggressive lymphoma
is prescribed a combination of two chemotherapeutic agents. Laboratory studies
show that some cancer cells are resistant to the first drug, while others are
sensitive. The combination therapy results in a much higher overall rate of
cancer cell death compared to either drug alone.

Which explanation best accounts for
the rationale behind using combination chemotherapy in this context?

Question

A patient with an aggressive lymphoma
is prescribed a combination of two chemotherapeutic agents. Laboratory studies
show that some cancer cells are resistant to the first drug, while others are
sensitive. The combination therapy results in a much higher overall rate of
cancer cell death compared to either drug alone.

Which explanation best accounts for
the rationale behind using combination chemotherapy in this context?

Accepted Answer

If
a cancer cell is insensitive to one agent, it can still be targeted and killed
by the second agent

Answer

Using two drugs
allows lower doses of each, reducing side effects

Answer

The two drugs are
designed to activate two separate phases of the cell cycle

Answer

One drug primes the
cancer cell for apoptosis, and the second drug triggers cell death

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