hallmarks of cancer Flashcards
1
Q
What are the hallmarks of cancer?
A
- self-sufficiency in growth signals
- insensitivity to growth inhibition signals
- evasion of apoptosis
- limitless replication potential
- neo-angiogenesis
- tissue invasion and metastasis
2
Q
How can self-sufficiency in growth signals be caused?
A
- increased exposure to growth factors
- increased growth factor receptor expression on tumour cell
- genetic changes in growth factor response pathway
3
Q
How can insensitivity to growth inhibition be caused?
A
usually caused by loss of function of a tumour supressor gene (p53 or RB)
4
Q
How can cancer cells evade apoptosis?
A
- gain of function in genes involved in negative regulation of apoptosis (e.g BCL2)
- loss of function in positive regulation of apoptosis (BAX or p53)
5
Q
How can cancer cells have limitless replication potential?
A
- commonly activation of telomerase (enzyme responsible for maintenance of telomeres)
- activation of this enzyme prevents cells from reaching their ‘hayflick limit’
6
Q
How can cancer cells trigger neo-angiogenesis?
A
- requires tumour to produce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
7
Q
How can cancer cells cause tissue invasion and metastasis?
A
- promoted by many different cellular events
- neo-angiogenesis certainly helps a lot
8
Q
What are the enabling characteristics of cancer?
A
- genome instability and mutation
- tumour-promoting inflammation
9
Q
What are regarded as the emerging hallmarks of cancer?
A
- altered cellular energetics (e.g a switch to glycolysis for energy production)
- avoidance of immune cell recognition and destruction
