Lecture 12

Question 1

Describe cancer

Answer 1

They were once normal cells that have a change in their genetic makeup and cause the cell to lose normal properties and gain malignant properties. They grow faster, lose the ability to die and invade other parts of the body.

Question 2

Describe cancer as a genetic disease

Answer 2

Inherited breast cancer is between 5-10%, inherited breast cancer usually due to mutated BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. The risk of getting breast cancer jumps if you’re genetically predisposed to it. Also colon cancer, autosomal dominant inheritance.

Question 3

Describe cancer as somatic (Acquired)

Answer 3

Oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes can be converted to oncogenes via a point mutation. Leukemia is an acquired genetic disease - 9;22 translocation

Question 4

What can block the cancer gene?

Answer 4

Imatinib Mesylate

Question 5

What is Knudsons 2 hit hypothesis?

Answer 5

First mutation makes cells susceptible to development of cancer and the 2nd hit leads to a malignant phenotype.

Question 6

What do tumour suppressor genes do?

Answer 6

They act as the brake pedal

Question 7

What is an example of a tumour suppressor gene?

Answer 7

P53 - this gets mutated in many cancers. Loss of P53 provides a growth advantage to the cancer.

Question 8

What are the two methods of action leading to cancer ?

Answer 8

1. Proto-oncogenes to Oncogenes

2. Tumour suppressor genes inactivated

Question 9

What are the hall marks of cancer

Answer 9

Self sufficiency in growth signals, insensitivity to antigrowth signals, tissue invasion, limitless replicative potential, sustained angiogenesis. evading apoptosis