Cancer Flashcards
what’s contact inhibition
cancer cells can grow into other cells
Anchorage
independence
can metastasize
transformation of normal cells into cancer cells
Decreased need for growth factors to multiply
* Lack contact inhibition
* Anchorage independence
* Immortality
Proto-oncogenes
Normal genes
that direct protein
synthesis and
cellular growth
Oncogenes
Mutant genes
Tumour-suppressor
genes
- Encode proteins that in their
normal state negatively regulate proliferation
Caretaker genes
Encode for proteins that are
involved in repairing damaged
DNA
telomerers
Telomeres are protective caps on each chromosome and are held in place by telomerase.
* Block cell division and prevent immortality
Cancer cells can ______ telomerase
activate
angiogenic factors (VEGF)
- Vascular endothelial GF
- Platelet-derived GF
- Basic fibroblast GF
Warburg effect
Use of glycolysis under normal oxygen conditions (aerobic glycolysis)
* Allows products of glycolysis to be used for rapid cell growth
* Activated by oncogenes and mutant tumour suppressors
________ is an important factor in the development of
cancer
chronic inflammation
Tumour-associated macrophage (TAM)
Key cells that promote tumour survival.
* Presence frequently correlates with a worse prognosis.
* Mimic M2 phenotype.
* Have diminished cytotoxic response.
* Develop the capacity to block T-cytotoxic cell and NK cell
functions and produce cytokines that are advantageous for
tumour growth and spread.
Model for transition to metastatic cancer cells
Epithelial– Mesenchymal Transition
(EMT)
Epithelial– Mesenchymal Transition
(EMT)
Epithelial characteristics lost
* Increased migratory capacity
* Increased resistance to apoptosis
* Dedifferentiated stem cell–like state
* Growth favoured in foreign
microenvironments
local spread of CA
Cellular multiplication
* Mitotic rate versus cellular death rate
* Release of lytic enzymes
* Decreased cell-to-cell
adhesion
* Increased motility
distant spread of CA
Spread through vascular
and lymphatic pathways
* Selectivity of different
cancers at different sites
* Breast canceràbones
* Lymphomasàspleen
* Dormancy
microscopic analysis of staging
Stage I: No metastasis
Stage II: Local invasion
Stage III: Spread to regional structures
Stage IV: Distant metastasis
TNM system
T for primary tumour size and extent
N for node involvement
M for extent of distant metastasis
Tumour cell markers
substances produced by cancer cells that are found on or in tumour cells, in the blood, CSF, or urine
all tissue may be classified as belonging to one of four groups:
- Nervous tissue
- Muscle tissue
- Epithelial tissue
- Connective tissue
3 main treatments for
cancer
- surgery
- radiation
- chemotherapy
(recently immunotherapy)
therapy are two
of the more well known treatments in immunotherapy for CA
Immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T cell therapy
Two types of polyps can develop in the inner lining of colon/ rectum:
Adenomatous Polyps (adenoma): precancerous
Hyperplastic polyps: inflammation, not precancerous
