302 Cancer biology: metastasis and prognosis Flashcards

1
Q

What are some different types of colorectal cancer?

A

-Colon cancer
-Rectal cancer
-Oligometastatic disease
-Widespread metastatic disease

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2
Q

What is an adenocarcinoma?

A

Malignant transformation of glandular epithelium

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3
Q

What is Familial Adenomatosis Polyposis Coli?

A

inherited loss of APC, inevitable second hit > multiple polyps (hundreds) > inevitable subsequent driver mutations > cancer

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4
Q

What is Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC)?

A

An inherited mutation in one of the genes involved with mismatch repair > multiple point mutations > increased risk of CRC, endometrial, small bowel and pancreatic cancers

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5
Q

What cellular dysfunctions are commonly present in colorectal cancer?

A

RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK or PI3 Kinase signalling

Activating mutations in K-RAS occur in approx 40% CRC, especially in polyp > cancer progression and left sided / rectal cancers

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6
Q

How is colorectal cancer treated with different mutations?

A

Chemoinnunotherapy

Cetuximab – anti EGFR antibody (but ineffective if KRAS mutation)

Encorafinib – blocks mutant BRAF – in combination with Cetuximab appears to control disease

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (that unmask cancer cells for immune clearance) now licensed in MMR deficient CRC (but ineffective in MMR proficient tumours)

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