Medical History of Chemotherapy

According to the text, how did chemotherapy originate?

• As a result of a scientific breakthrough in a laboratory

• From the need to treat infectious diseases

• From the atrocities of World War II

• Through accidental discovery during a medical experiment

According to the text, what was the substance identified as causing the symptoms among the sailors?

• Engine oil

• Mustard gas

• Pepper spray

• Tear gas

Which ship was later revealed to be responsible for the release of mustard gas?

• SS John Harvey

• HMS Beagle

• USS Arizona

• RMS Titanic

What was a consistent feature observed in the specimens analyzed by doctors that led to further research in cancer treatment?

• Increase in red blood cells

• Depletion of white blood cells

• Increase in platelet count

• Stable lymph node size

Why were the results of the nitrogen mustard research initially kept secret?

• Due to the lack of evidence

• Because of the excitement it generated

• Because of the secrecy surrounding the US military war gas program

• The researchers lost the data

What is the consequence of nitrogen mustard being unable to distinguish between normal and cancerous cells?

• It targets only the cancerous cells

• It has no effect on normal cells

• It indiscriminately locks the DNA of every cell it encounters

• It enhances the growth of normal cells

By what year had cancer become the nation's second-leading cause of death, as mentioned in the text?

• 1926

• 1947

• 1903

• 1950

What key property made methotrexate an effective chemotherapy agent according to Farber's research?

• It was identical to folate.

• It blocked DNA replication by acting like a broken key in a lock.

• It enhanced the production of blood cells.

• It was less toxic than other drugs.

What was the outcome of Mary Lasker's advocacy in 1955 regarding cancer treatment?

• Establishment of the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service

• Development of a new chemotherapy drug

• A decrease in cancer research funding

• None of the above

How did oncologist Max Wintrobe view the use of drugs in cancer chemotherapy?

• As a necessary evil that prolonged life

• As beneficial because they reduced symptoms

• As harmful and prolonging the agony of patients

• As a promising approach that needed more research