Anti-cancer

Question 1

Dactinomycin

Answer 1

DNA intercalating agent. Interferes with RNA polymerase, inhibiting RNA transcription. Also interferes with topoisomerase II.

Question 2

Anthracyclins e.g. doxorubicin

Answer 2

Induce oxidative damage to DNA and cause DNA fragmentation. Intercalate DNA and inhibit transcription. Also inhibit topoisomerase II enzymes.

Question 3

Bleomycins

Answer 3

Metal chelating peptide antibiotics with anti-tumour activity. Bound iron interferes with oxygen producing superoxide and hydroxyl radicals which cause single and double stranded breaks in DNA. Create blunt and staggered ends.

Question 4

Define cancer

Answer 4

Neoplastic malignant disease in which there is an uncontrolled proliferation of cells typically with invasion and destruction of adjacent normal tissue often with metastasis into more distant tissues

Question 5

What are the four main stages of cancer development?

Answer 5

HDIM - hyperplasia, dysplasia, invasive carcinoma, metastasis

Question 6

What are the 6 hallmarks of cancer?

Answer 6

Activating invasion and metastasis, inducing angiogenesis, resisting cell apoptosis, sustaining proliferative signalling, enabling replicative immortality, evading growth suppressors. (AIRSEE)

Question 7

Define proto-onco gene

Answer 7

Encode proteins which promote cell proliferation

Question 8

Name 6 classes of proto-onco gene

Answer 8

Transcription factors, Chromatic remodellers, Signal transducers, miRNA/LincRNA, Apoptosis regulators, Growth factors and receptors. (TCSMAG)

Question 9

What are the three main methods of oncogene activation?

Answer 9

Chromosome rearrangement (e.g. c-MYC translocation), Point mutation (e.g. BRAF in melanoma) and Gene amplification (e.g. HER2 in breast cancer)