For a chemotherapeutic drug to be useful for treating cancer cells,which of the following characteristics is most desirable?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most desirable characteristic for a chemotherapeutic drug is to target only rapidly dividing cells, as cancer cells divide rapidly and uncontrollably. A drug that targets all cells, including metabolically active ones, would be toxic to the patient. A drug that only attacks density-dependent cells would not be effective against cancer cells, as tumors can grow without density-dependent regulation. A drug that limits all apoptosis would allow cancer cells to continue to divide and spread, further worsening the disease.

For a Chemotherapeutic Drug to Be Useful for Treating Cancer