Lecture 1 Flashcards
Retroviruses are used to isolate __
potent oncogenes
Transcription factors are often regulated by __
phosphorylation
True or False: All tumour suppressor proteins are transcription factors.
False
Two major tumour suppressor proteins
- p53
- Retinoblastoma (Rb) protein
What is cancer?
A group of heterogeneous pathologic states in which cells multiply abnormally and invade surrounding tissues
Do cancer cells have a higher rate of mutation than normal cells?
Yes
Main difference between benign and malignant tumours
Malignant tumours have the ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasise to organs via the circulatory system. Benign tumours do not have this ability.
Breast cancer most often spreads to __
bone
Lung cancer most often spreads to __
brain
What percentage of patients presenting in the clinic with cancer already have metastases?
~50%
What are oncogenes?
Genes capable of inducing neoplastic phenotype
Examples of benign tumours
- skin warts
- polyps (common in GIT)
- uterine fibroids
Examples of malignant tumours
- carcinoma
- sarcoma
- leukaemia
- lymphoma
How many different human cancers are there (categorised based on tissue type)?
~100
Tumour cells descend from…
a single progenitor cell
Why are cancer cell lines easy to use in the lab?
because they are immortal
What is the main enzyme that facilitates immortality of cancer cells?
Telomerase (important anti-cancer drug target)
Key changes that occur in the progression of tumours
- immortality
- angiogenic ability
- migratory abilities
2 examples of very aggressive cancers that are difficult to treat
- Pancreatic cancer (due to its location & activation of Ras oncogenes)
- Mesothelioma (rare lung cancer, clear association with asbestos)
__ account for 80-90% of all cancer cases
Carcinomas (malignancies of epithelial tissue)
What is crucial in the study of oncology?
Understanding control/regulation of cell growth
What is a common site for metastasis?
Liver
