American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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Prepare for the ABS QE with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question provides hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Start your journey to becoming a certified surgeon and tackle your exam with confidence!

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Leucovorin enhances the effectiveness of which chemotherapy agent?

Cyclophosphamide
Bleomycin
5-FU
Cisplatin

The correct answer is: 5-FU

Leucovorin, also known as folinic acid, is a medication that plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapy drug commonly used in the treatment of various cancers, including colorectal cancer. The mechanism by which leucovorin enhances the action of 5-FU involves the stabilization of the 5-FU and thymidylate synthase complex, increasing the duration of time that 5-FU is active in inhibiting this enzyme, which is essential for DNA synthesis and repair in cancer cells. This synergistic effect leads to improved cytotoxicity of 5-FU against tumors, thereby enhancing the overall efficacy of the treatment regimen. The use of leucovorin in combination with 5-FU has been well established in clinical practice and is part of standard treatment protocols for certain types of cancer. In contrast, the other agents listed do not have a synergistic relationship with leucovorin. For instance, cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent whose action is not influenced by leucovorin, and bleomycin and cisplatin are also distinct classes of chemotherapy that do not interact with leucovorin in a way that enhances their effects.