Carcinognesis Flashcards
Pathogenically altered (such as Ras) can enable a cancer cell to become self-sufficient in growth and are common in pancreatic and colorectal cancers
Proto-oncogenes
One chromosome moves to another as cell divides, thereby activating an oncogene
Chromosome translocations
Change a DNA base pair that results in the substitution of one amino acid for another in a protein made by a gene and is typically the cause of sickle cell disease
Missense pathogenic variants
The addition of one or more nucleotide base pairs into a DNA sequence
Insertion pathogenic variant
Control cell proliferation by preventing uncontrolled growth
When pathologically altered, these genes no longer suppress proliferation (as though the brakes of the car have been released and the car cannot stop)
Tumor suppressor genes
Function to repair mistakes in DNA and maintain chromosome stability during replication of normal cells
Caretaker genes
Irreversible arrest of cell division in normally proliferating cells that allow for the inactivation of diseased or damaged cells
Senescence
An altered inherited gene that is passed from a parent to their offspring through the X or Y chromosome and becomes incorporated into every cell in the offspring
Germline pathogenic vairant
Develops due to exposure of carcinogens that alter the DNA in body cell; it is not inherited
Somatic pathogenic variant
A series of randomly repeated nucleotides
Mircosatellite
The transformation of normal cells are transformed into cancer cells through a complex and dynamic process that starts with pathogenic alterations in regulatory cells and is promoted by genomic instability, inflammation, and interactions within the tumor microenvironment
Carcinogenesis
The creation of new blood vessels from existing ones to provide nutrients and remove waste products
Angiogenesis
A type of genetic reprogramming whereby the activity of a gene becomes changed without changing the sequence of DNA in the gene
Lifestyle factors may induce these changes, including diet, obesity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption, as well as toxic environmental exposures
The cells containing the modified DNA are passed from parent to offspring
Epigenetic changes
The variability in the microbiomes of individuals that can impact their cancer phenotype, including cancer development, malignant progression, and response to therapy
Polymorphic microbiomes
Phases in the process of tumor formation
- Initiating pathogenic alteration
- Acquisition of cancer hallmarks
- Cell undergoes further genetic evolution
Signaling pathway that participate in colon cancer development and play a role in some colon cancer metastases
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
Signaling pathway that may cause tumor cells to spread to regional lymph nodes
Vascular endothelial growth factors
Signaling pathways that are primarily involved in the regulation of growth, maintenance, proliferation and survival of certain target neurons, especially those that transmit pain, temperature, and touch sensations
Nerve growth factors
The process of cells within a tumor accumulating genetic changes over time that differ from one cell to the next and are heterogeneous for different traits.
Even though a tumor may consist of cells that arose from the same mother cell, clones of cells may have arisen within the tumor that are genotypically different from one another and possess more aggressive growth abilities
This characteristic forms the basis for using combination therapies to destroy tumor cells
Clonal evolution
The creation of new blood vessels from existing ones. A tumor cannot grow larger than a few millimeters in size without the presence of new blood vessels that can deliver an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tumor cells and remove their waste products
Angiogenesis
The formation of a cancer where normal cells are transformed into cancer cells
Carcinogenesis
An example of tumor cell dissemination throughout the lymphatic system
Occurs when cells bypass the first lymph node and reach more distant sites
Skip metastasis
The type of primary tumor that most frequently metastasizes to the brain
Non-small cell lung cancer
The type of primary tumor that commonly metastasizes to the adrenal gland, bone, liver, and lung
Prostate cancer
Often the site of metastatic cancer
Liver cancer
Typically metastasizes to the liver, lung, and peritoneum
Colorectal cancer
