cytotoxiska

Cytotoxiska is an adjective used in Swedish to describe effects, substances, or agents that are cytotoxic, meaning toxic to cells. The term derives from cyto- “cell” and toxisk “toxic,” and is commonly used in toxicology, pharmacology, and medical contexts to characterize cellular toxicity.

In biology and medicine, cytotoxicity can arise through several mechanisms. Conventional chemical cytotoxins may damage DNA, disrupt cellular membranes, or interfere with essential processes such as protein synthesis or energy production, leading to cell death by apoptosis or necrosis. In the immune system, cytotoxicity also refers to the targeted killing of infected or malignant cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes or natural killer cells, which release perforin and granzymes to induce death in the target cell. Cytotoxiska effects can be short-term or cumulative and may vary by cell type and exposure level.

Assessment of cytotoxicity is routinely performed in vitro using assays that measure cell viability, membrane integrity, or metabolic activity (for example MTT, LDH release, or ATP-based tests). In drug development and toxicology, determining the cytotoxic profile helps gauge safety margins and potential organ-specific toxicity in vivo.

Applications include chemotherapy, where cytotoxic drugs aim to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, and targeted or immunotherapies that harness cytotoxic mechanisms against malignant cells. Understanding cytotoxiska effects is essential for balancing efficacy with safety in medical and environmental contexts.