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PM3B: Spring > Introduction to Cancer > Flashcards

Introduction to Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What is cancer

A

A collection of diseases with the shared underlaying features of uncontrolled cell growth and invasion

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2
Q

What is a carcinoma cancer tissue type and give examples

A

Epithelial

Breast lung and liver

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3
Q

What is a sarcoma cancer tissue type and give examples

A

Connective tissue

Bones (osteocytes) , muscle, blood vessels

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4
Q

What is a myeloma and leukaemia cancer tissue type and give examples

A

Bone marrow for both of them

Myeloma: Plasma cells (white blood cells that secrete large volumes of antibody)

Leukaemia: White blood cells, erythrocytes

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5
Q

What is a lymphoma tissue type and give examples

A

Lymph nodes and glands

Spleen, tonsils, thymus

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6
Q

Which cancer has the highest and lowest survival rate

A

Non melanoma (highest survival rate)

Melanoma: High to moderate survival rate

Breast and bladder: Moderate survival rate

Lung and pancreas: lowest survival rate

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7
Q

Define Neoplasm

A

Disorganised growth with net increase in number of dividing cells (similar to tumour swelling)

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8
Q

Define Malignant tumour

A

Not benign and spread beyond initial site

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9
Q

Define benign tumour

A

Do not invade surrounding tissue, nor spread

Causes problem when pressing against cell walls

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10
Q

Define Metastasis

A

Invasion of a tumour to its surrounding tissue and spreads beyond original site

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11
Q

Briefly describe each stage of the cell cycle

A
  1. M Phase: Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
  2. G1: RNA and protein synthesis
  3. S: DNA synthesis
  4. G2: cell growth continues
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12
Q

Explain all steps of M phase

A

Prophase: chromosome condense, centrosomes assemble

Metaphase: Chromosomes align and attach to spindle

Anaphase: Chromotids pull apart and migrate to poles

Telophase: Chromotids decondense, new nuclear membrane made

Cytokinesis: nuclear membrane decondenses, dividing cytoplasm of mother cell, two daughter cells made

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13
Q

What are the positive regulators of the cell cycle

A

G1: CDK4/6 (cyclin)

R point (restriction point): can only go through if you have CDK4/6

S phase: E-CDK2, A-CDK2, A-CDC2

G2 Phase: B-CD2

Then you can go to M phase

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14
Q

What are the factors that control cyclin complexes

A

E2F transcription factors

pRB proteins

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15
Q

One of the hallmarks of cancer is gaining growth factor independence, describe this?

A
  1. Cells lose requirement for growth factors to stimulate cell division (gain an oncogene which stimulates cancer)
  2. Includes:
    Growth factor that is normally secreted by surrounding tissue
    Mutation in growth factor so it is continually activated
    Mutation of components of signalling pathways or transcription factors activated
  3. Gains an oncogene- important in regulation of cell proliferation and lead to growth factors signal always on
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16
Q

What is an oncogene and give an example of the most popular one

A
  1. Term given to a mutated or over expressed gene that causes cancer
  2. Example: Ras- normally in growth signals it leads to signalling events that trigger cell proliferation
  3. In cancer Ras is constantly on
17
Q

Give examples of other oncogenes that are not as common

A
  1. Bcr-Abl
  2. myc
  3. src
  4. P13 kinase
18
Q

Give an example of a drug that targets growth factors

A

Imatinib

A Tyrosine kinase inhibitor that prevents growth factor signals which promote cell proliferation

19
Q

Give an example of growth factor independence in breast cancer and how to counter it

A

HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2): amplified in breast cancer

Counter: Trastuzumab (Herceptin) blocks it

20
Q

One of the hallmarks of cancer is gaining insensitivity to growth inhibitors, describe this

A
  1. Cells lose ability to control abnormal cell proliferation
  2. This occurs due to alteration in cell cycle regulation which causes loss of TUMOUR SUPPRESSOR GENE
    and UPREGULATION of positive cell cycle regulators such as CDC25 or cyclins
21
Q

How do tumour suppressor genes perform is function and give examples of them

A

Complete opposite to oncogenes and prevent tumours from forming through detecting DNA damage and mutations, then triggering apoptosis or DNA repair

Examples: pRB, p53 (most commonly mutated in cancer), BRCA

22
Q

What is the role of p53?

A
  1. Acts against lack of nucleotides, UV radiation, ionising radiation, oncogene signalling, hypoxia, blockage of transcription
  2. Reacts by: cell cycle arrest (stops cell dividing or continue), DNA repair, block of angiogenesis, apoptosis
23
Q

One of the hallmarks of cancer is proliferation without limit, describe this

A
  1. Most cells cannot proliferate indefinitely due to limitation in telomere length (shortens after every proliferation, stick and go through cell death)
  2. Tumour cells are immortal through production of Telomerase which rebuilds back telomeres
24
Q

One of the hallmarks of cancer is avoiding apoptosis, describe this?

A
  1. Triggered by DNA damage and viral infections
  2. Gain resistance through pro survival factors such as Bc12
  3. Loss of function of pro-apoptotic factors like p53
25
Q

One of the hallmarks of cancer is promoting angiogenesis, describe this

A
  1. Tumours stay small until they secure a blood supply
  2. Provides increased blood supply (nutrients) to tumour to allow continued growth
  3. Promotes new blood vessel formation through secretion of angiogenic factors
26
Q

Give examples of angiogenic factors

A
  1. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)

2. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)

27
Q

One of the hallmarks of cancer is invasion and metastasis, describe this?

A
  1. 90% of cancer deaths occur due to cancer spreading to distant sites
  2. Additional cellular changes is necessary for cancer to overcome containment mechanisms
  3. Ability to break away from main tumour form metastatic tumours in different areas of body
    Pancreas -> Lungs
    Breast -> Lungs, liver or bone
  4. Able to do this through decreased cell adhesion molecule expression or protease secretion to break ECM
  5. Move via lymphatic vessels or blood
28
Q

What are the different types of gene mutations

A
  1. Gene coding regions
  2. Alterations in transcription or splicing
  3. Amplifications and deletions of chromosomal regions
  4. Chromosomal translocations
  5. Gain and losses of whole chromosomes
  6. Changes in DNA modification
29
Q

What causes DNA mutations

A 
UV
Free radicals
Viruses- hepatitis B/C, T cell leukaemia virus 
Chemicals
Copying and repair errors
30
Q

What are the three stages of cancer development and describe them

A
  1. Initiation: mutation firstly promotes increased proliferation (Carcinogenesis)
  2. Promotion: additional mutations promote further proliferation (carcinogenesis)
  3. Tumour progression: Growth and invasion of tumour
31
Q

Describe the ranks of cancer stages from 1-4?

A
  1. Small size not spread
  2. Moderate size, spread to nodes
  3. Large size, spread to nodes
  4. Large size, wide spread
32
Q

What are the risk factors for cancer

A 
Smoking
Inactivity 
Lack of activity
Alcohol 
lack of fruit and veg
red meat
Salt
INFECTIONS: 18% of all cancers

PM3B: Spring (21 decks)

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