Neoplasia 2 Flashcards
What are some of the genetic factors important in carcinogenesis?
- Oncogenes (accelerators)
- Tumour suppressor genes (brakes)
- DNA repair genes
- miRNAs (microRNA)
How do genetic factors cause cancer?
DNA damage -> altered gene expression -> altered cell function
How does P53 regulate cell cycle and act as a tumour suppressor gene?
2 main functions to damaged DNA;
- stops cell cycle to allow for DNA repair
- apoptosis (if repair not possible)
P53 inactivation often results to cancer as there is no suppression anymore
What are the hallmarks/requirements of cancer?
6 Hallmarks
- Evading apoptosis
- Sustained angiogenesis
- Tissue invasion & metastasis
- Limitless replicative potential
- Insensitivity to anti-growth signals
- Self-sufficiency in growth signals
What is the process of carcinogenesis?
Multistep:
Initiation -> promotion -> progression
How can malignant tumours spread (metastasis)?
- Local spread
- Lymphatic spread
- Blood spread
- Intraepithelial spread
- Transcoelomic (across peritoneal cavity) spread
What are tumour grades & stages?
Grade - Biological nature of tumour (histopathology)
Stage - Extent of spread (clinical)
What is pleomorphism/pleomorphic?
Variation in a cells size & shape
What are some of the effects of cancer?
- Pain at site
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Neurological problems
- Endocrine syndromes
- Metabolic effects
Treatment of malignant tumours?
Depends on the type, grade, and stage:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
What is the immune response to tumour antigens?
Elimination of those cells
Cell mediated immune response;
- CD8+ cytotoxicity
- NK Cells
- Macrophages. Phagocytosis
What is the risk of immunodeficiency for cancer formation?
How can immunotherapy help?
Increased frequency/risk of tumour formation due to compromisation of immune cells.
Immunotherapy can help reversal of immunodeficiency and fighting cancer, however lots more research needed
