Chemotherapy drugs are used to destroy cancer cells and are made up of various chemical compositions. There are more than 100 different kinds of chemotherapy drugs, and they are grouped based on their composition and how they destroy cancer cells. Some chemotherapy drugs are derived from natural sources such as bacteria and plants, while others are made using synthetic processes. Here are some examples of chemotherapy drugs:

• Alkylating agents: These drugs work by adding an alkyl group to DNA, which prevents the cancer cells from dividing and growing. Examples include cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and busulfan.

• Antimetabolites: These drugs are similar to normal substances within the cell and interfere with the cells ability to divide. Examples include methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and gemcitabine.

• Plant alkaloids: These drugs are derived from certain types of plants and work by stopping cell division. Examples include vinblastine, vincristine, and paclitaxel.

• Topoisomerase inhibitors: These drugs interfere with the action of topoisomerase enzymes, which control the manipulation of the structure of DNA necessary for replication. Examples include etoposide and irinotecan.

• Antitumor antibiotics: These drugs are made from natural products produced by species of the soil fungus Streptomyces and act during multiple phases of the cell cycle. Examples include doxorubicin, bleomycin, and mitomycin.

Chemotherapy drugs can cause side effects because they target cells that divide and reproduce rapidly, which includes healthy cells in the body such as those in the skin, hair follicles, mouth, digestive tract, and blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. The best chemotherapy drug is the one thats proven to work best for a specific type of cancer.