Hallmarks of Cancer

Question 1

Hallmarks of Cancer

Answer 1

the 14 factors which distinguish cancer cells from normal cells

Question 2

Sustaining Proliferative Growth Signalling

Answer 2

Mutations of Epidermal growth factor receptors cause constant signals for the cell to grow via overexpression or no exterior signal required at all.

Question 3

What 2 receptors cause uncontrollable growth when overexpressed?

Answer 3

EGFR = 50% in all cancers
HER2 = 20% of breast cancers

Question 4

What 2 enzymes in the growth signalling pathway cause uncontrollable growth when mutated?

Answer 4

BRAFv600 = melanoma
KRAS = colorectal cancer

Question 5

Evading Growth Suppressors

Answer 5

Mutations in tumour suppressor genes, which usually stop cell cycle but no longer can.

Question 6

Non-Mutational Epigenetic reprogramming

Answer 6

Hypermethylation of genes, resulting in gene silencing.

Question 7

Avoiding Immune Destruction

Answer 7

Avoiding detection and elimination by immune cells.

Question 8

PDL1

Answer 8

The protein some cancer cells use on their membrane to avoid immune destruction.

Question 9

Enabling Replicative Immortality

Answer 9

Ability of cancer cells to use telomerase to generate new telomeres (non-coding DNA found at the end of chromosomes which usually runs out after 50 cell divisions).

Question 10

Tumour Promoting Inflammation

Answer 10

Ability of some cancer cells to corrupt immune cells to help them proliferate and metastasise, causing tumour promoting inflammation.

Question 11

Polymorphic Microbiomes

Answer 11

A collection of microorganisms in the tumour microbiome which help tumour progression.

Question 12

Activating Invasion and Metastasis

Answer 12

Cancer cells becoming mesenchymal cells from epithelium cells to invade blood vessels or lymph nodes.

Question 13

Inducing or Accessing Vasculature

Answer 13

Tumour cells express VEGF which binds to endothelial cells causing the growth of blood vessels toward tumours.

Question 14

Senescent Cells

Answer 14

Non proliferating cells with the ability of both tumour suppression and progression depending on the case.

Question 15

Genome Instability and Mutation

Answer 15

Epigenetic changes and mismatch repair deficiency.

Question 16

Resisting Cell Death

Answer 16

Has no signalling for apoptosis, continues to divide.

Question 17

Deregulating Cellular Metabolism

Answer 17

Flexibility of processes to produce ATP. Usually use both OXSPHOS and Glycolysis but can easily change depending on environment.

Question 18

Why are some cancers more glycolytic?

Answer 18

Although inefficient, it produces fewer free radicals such as ROS keeping DNA safe from its attack. Glycolysis also requires less oxygen.

Question 19

Unlocking Phenotypic Plasticity

Answer 19

Ability of cancer cells to de differentiate depending on their environment.