Metastasis and Molecular Cancer Pathology

Question 1

How does targeted chemotherapy work and which cells does it work best against?

Answer 1

Exploits differences between cancer and normal cells, so is more effective and less side effects
E.g. Lung, Colon, Breast (slow dividing)

Question 2

What drugs are used in targeted chemotherapy?

Answer 2

1) Monoclonal Antibodies

2) Small Molecular Inhibitors

Question 3

Conditions needed for a tumour to invade through a basement membrane?

Answer 3

1) Proteases

2) Cell Motility

Question 4

What is needed for intravasation?

Answer 4

1) Collagenases

2) Cell Motility

Question 5

Conditions needed for extravasation?

Answer 5

1) Adhesion Receptors
2) Collagenases
3) Cell Motility

Question 6

What are 2 promoters of angiogenesis?

Answer 6

1) Fibroblast growth factors

2) Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Question 7

What are 3 inhibitors of angiogenesis?

Answer 7

1) Vasculostatin
2) Endostatin
3) Angiostatin

Question 8

What mechanisms do tumour cells use to evade host immune defence in the blood?

Answer 8

1) Platelet aggregation
2) Other tumour cells adhesion
3) Shed surface antigens to distract lymphocytes

Question 9

Which organs do tumours commonly metastasise to? (3)

Answer 9

1) Bones (prostate, breast, thyroid, colon, kidney)
2) Liver (Colon, stomach, pancreas)
3) Lungs (Sarcoma)

Question 10

Adv and DisAdv for conventional chemotherapy?

Answer 10

1) Adv: Works well to treat against fast dividing tumours (lymphomas)
2) DisAdv: Non-selective for tumour cells, killing healthy cells too