Antineoplastics are chemical compounds used as drugs used in chemotherapy to treat cancer. They work by interfering with the growth and division of cancer cells, enabling the immune system to attack and destroy the cancer cells.
Antineoplastics can be alkylating agents, antimetabolites, plant alkaloids, and others. Each type of antineoplastic works in a different way to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and despite their effectiveness, they can also have significant side effects.