ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy
Certificate Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | High-
Yield Review Guide
1. A 48 year old female is newly diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. It is
decided that she will begin doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide as a dose
dense regimen (given every 2 weeks with a growth factor instead of every 3
weeks). Which statement best describes why dose dense therapy might be
preferable based on the Gompertzian growth principle?
More chemotherapy over a compressed amount of time decreases
log-kill
Higher amounts of chemotherapy over the same amount of time
improves tolerability
The same amount of chemotherapy over less time increases cell kill
Less chemotherapy over less time improves efficacy
2. What is the primary role of oncogenes in the context of cancer?
Control cell differentiation.
Inhibit DNA repair mechanisms.
Suppress immune responses.
Promote cell growth and division.
3. If a mutation occurs in a tumor suppressor gene, what potential effect could
this have on cellular behavior?
Enhanced ability to repair DNA damage.
Improved immune response to cancer.
Decreased cell division rates.
, Increased risk of uncontrolled cell growth.
4. What are oncogenes in the context of cancer biology?
Genes that repair DNA damage.
Normal genes that regulate immune responses.
Proteins that inhibit cell division.
Mutated forms of normal genes that promote cell growth and
division.
5. What is the role of inhibitory proteins in the context of the cell cycle?
Enhance the activity of oncogenes.
Facilitate the synthesis of cyclins.
Prevent the progression of the cell cycle in response to DNA
damage.
Promote cell division during the mitotic phase.
6. What is the primary purpose of neoadjuvant treatment in cancer therapy?
To eliminate cancer cells completely
To shrink a tumor
To enhance immune response
To prevent cancer recurrence
7. During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA duplication, or replication,
take place?
Interphase
Anaphase
Metaphase
, Prophase
8. The principal goal of the mitotic or M phase of the cell cycle during asexual
reproduction and cell division is
ensuring that both daughter cells get a copy of each chromosome
found in the original cell
making sure the nucleus gets split in half between the two daughter
cells
ensuring that each daughter cell gets a random number of the
different chromosomes (i.e. some could get 30 and some 40) to
promote genetic diversity
make sure the DNA is duplicated
ensuring that each daughter cell gets a tumor suppressor protein
9. What does the term 'cumulative dose' specifically refer to in cancer
treatment?
The total amount of one antineoplastic agent given to a patient,
adding up each administration.
The average dose of antineoplastic agents administered over a
treatment cycle.
The dose of antineoplastic agents adjusted for patient weight.
The maximum dose allowed for a single administration of an
antineoplastic agent.
10. Describe the significance of chromosome separation during the mitotic
phase.
Chromosome separation ensures that each daughter cell receives
an identical set of chromosomes.
Chromosome separation allows for genetic variation between
, daughter cells.
Chromosome separation is not essential for cell division.
Chromosome separation occurs only in the interphase.
11. Humoral immunity involves the production of antibodies such as:
B-cell lymphocytes
T-lymphocytes
Plasma cell
A and C
C and B
12. What type of cells do Cytotoxic T-cells primarily target?
Healthy cells
Viruses
Bacteria
Infected or cancerous cells
13. What is the primary event that occurs during the mitotic phase of the cell
cycle?
Alignment, separation, and distribution of replicated chromosomes
Synthesis of proteins
Formation of the nuclear envelope
Replication of DNA
14. Describe how checkpoints in the cell cycle help maintain genetic stability.
Checkpoints only function during the mitotic phase.
Certificate Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | High-
Yield Review Guide
1. A 48 year old female is newly diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. It is
decided that she will begin doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide as a dose
dense regimen (given every 2 weeks with a growth factor instead of every 3
weeks). Which statement best describes why dose dense therapy might be
preferable based on the Gompertzian growth principle?
More chemotherapy over a compressed amount of time decreases
log-kill
Higher amounts of chemotherapy over the same amount of time
improves tolerability
The same amount of chemotherapy over less time increases cell kill
Less chemotherapy over less time improves efficacy
2. What is the primary role of oncogenes in the context of cancer?
Control cell differentiation.
Inhibit DNA repair mechanisms.
Suppress immune responses.
Promote cell growth and division.
3. If a mutation occurs in a tumor suppressor gene, what potential effect could
this have on cellular behavior?
Enhanced ability to repair DNA damage.
Improved immune response to cancer.
Decreased cell division rates.
, Increased risk of uncontrolled cell growth.
4. What are oncogenes in the context of cancer biology?
Genes that repair DNA damage.
Normal genes that regulate immune responses.
Proteins that inhibit cell division.
Mutated forms of normal genes that promote cell growth and
division.
5. What is the role of inhibitory proteins in the context of the cell cycle?
Enhance the activity of oncogenes.
Facilitate the synthesis of cyclins.
Prevent the progression of the cell cycle in response to DNA
damage.
Promote cell division during the mitotic phase.
6. What is the primary purpose of neoadjuvant treatment in cancer therapy?
To eliminate cancer cells completely
To shrink a tumor
To enhance immune response
To prevent cancer recurrence
7. During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA duplication, or replication,
take place?
Interphase
Anaphase
Metaphase
, Prophase
8. The principal goal of the mitotic or M phase of the cell cycle during asexual
reproduction and cell division is
ensuring that both daughter cells get a copy of each chromosome
found in the original cell
making sure the nucleus gets split in half between the two daughter
cells
ensuring that each daughter cell gets a random number of the
different chromosomes (i.e. some could get 30 and some 40) to
promote genetic diversity
make sure the DNA is duplicated
ensuring that each daughter cell gets a tumor suppressor protein
9. What does the term 'cumulative dose' specifically refer to in cancer
treatment?
The total amount of one antineoplastic agent given to a patient,
adding up each administration.
The average dose of antineoplastic agents administered over a
treatment cycle.
The dose of antineoplastic agents adjusted for patient weight.
The maximum dose allowed for a single administration of an
antineoplastic agent.
10. Describe the significance of chromosome separation during the mitotic
phase.
Chromosome separation ensures that each daughter cell receives
an identical set of chromosomes.
Chromosome separation allows for genetic variation between
, daughter cells.
Chromosome separation is not essential for cell division.
Chromosome separation occurs only in the interphase.
11. Humoral immunity involves the production of antibodies such as:
B-cell lymphocytes
T-lymphocytes
Plasma cell
A and C
C and B
12. What type of cells do Cytotoxic T-cells primarily target?
Healthy cells
Viruses
Bacteria
Infected or cancerous cells
13. What is the primary event that occurs during the mitotic phase of the cell
cycle?
Alignment, separation, and distribution of replicated chromosomes
Synthesis of proteins
Formation of the nuclear envelope
Replication of DNA
14. Describe how checkpoints in the cell cycle help maintain genetic stability.
Checkpoints only function during the mitotic phase.
