Breast Cancer TBL Flashcards
Epidermal growth factors
umm…
Growth Factors
Naturally occurring substances that are capable of stimulating cell growth, proliferation and differentiation.
EGFR
mitogenic response …?
Mitogen
chemical that triggers mitosis by activating signal transduction pathways in which mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) is involved
Proto-oncogene
gene that regulates cell growth
oncogene
when a gene results in transformation of cells and uncontrolled cell growth
Mestasis
Spreading of cancer cells
Stage 0 BC
Carcinoma in situ
DCIS
Ductal Carcinoma in situ - abnormal cells in lining of the duct
Stage I
Cancer cells have not spread beyond the breast
Stage II
2-5cm wide
Spread to lymph nodes under arm
Stage III
locally advanced cancer
Tumor spread to underarm lymph nodes and to lymph nodes behind the breastbone
Stage IV
distant metastatic cancer
cancer spread to other parts of the body
Recurrent Cancer
Cancer that has come back after a period of time when it could not be detected. can reoccur locally or systematically.
Estrogen-receptors positive, %
Progesterone-receptor positive,%
75% ER positive
65% of ER positive = PR positive
Treatment for ER+ / PR+
Tamoxifin
Aromatase Inhibitors
Tamoxifin - def., function
Antagonist of the estrogen receptor
Blocks the binding of estrogen to ER
Aromatase Inhibitors - Function, Specifications
Block estrogen production
Used in postmenopausal women
Adjuvant therapy
Additional treament
Neoadjuvant therapy
therapy given before main treatment
Anthracycline - functions
Inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis by intercalating between base pairs, preventing cell replication
Inhibits topoisomerase II enzyme, preventing DNA supercoiled relaxation, blocking DNA transcription and replication
Creates free radicals that damage DNA and cell membranes of tumors
Taxol
Anti-microtubule agent
Acts on cell during cell division
Inhibits microtubule formation - hindering cell division and replication - resulting in cell death
