ONC Flashcards
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
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Define Cancer
*LOB; Define the terms “cancer”, “carcinogenesis” and “carcinogen”.
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems
NIH
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
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What are the most common cancers?
*LOB; Define the terms “cancer”, “carcinogenesis” and “carcinogen”.
More than half of new cases are
Breast
Prostate
Lung
Bowel
NIH
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
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Define carcinogenesis and the four steps of cancer formation
*LOB; Define the terms “cancer”, “carcinogenesis” and “carcinogen”.
The generation of cancer:
Initiation
Promotion
Progression
Malignant conversion
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Cancer is a genome disease
*LOB; Define the terms “cancer”, “carcinogenesis” and “carcinogen”.
Epigenetic, genomic alt
Altered protein
Altered pathways
Altered biology
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
What are the hallmarks of Cancer
Features of cancers
*LOB; Define the terms “cancer”, “carcinogenesis” and “carcinogen”. Demonstrate an understanding of the ‘Hallmarks of Cancer’
ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by
Define carcinogen
*LOB; Define the terms “cancer”, “carcinogenesis” and “carcinogen”.
Substances and exposures that can lead to cancer
directly- c/s breakage, fusion etc
indirect- ROS, infl,
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Multistage Theory of Carcinogenesis.
*LOB Explain the Multistage Theory of Carcinogenesis.
Chromosomal instability pathway (c/s loss and gain)
Mutations in the DNA Repair pathways
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
What are driver mutations?
*LOB Explain the Multistage Theory of Carcinogenesis.
2-8 driver mutations are required for carcinogenesis
confer growth/survival advantage
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
What are passenger mutations
*LOB Explain the Multistage Theory of Carcinogenesis.
Mutations that are not enough to cause oncogenesis
Conssequence of loss of function of key DNA repair genes
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Targets for cancer therapy
*LOB Explain the Multistage Theory of Carcinogenesis.
Hormone responsive tumours= remove oestrogen and androgen
Growth receptor= drugs ‘-mab’ to target EGFR HER2 VEGF
Singalling pathways = BRAF MTCH block
Tumour macroenvironment= checkpoint inhibitor molecules on T Cells can be left on longer. CTLA4 and PD1
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Characteristsics of Primary tumour
*LOB Explain the Multistage Theory of Carcinogenesis.
Antigenicity
Growth Rate
Response to hormones
REsponse to cytotoxic drugs
Capacity for invaion on metastasis
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Describe the four main types of carcinogens.
*LOB Describe the four main types of carcinogens.
Chemical
Physical
Viral
Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Describe the four main types of carcinogens.
*LOB Describe the four main types of carcinogens.
Chemical
Physical
Viral
Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Chemical carcinogens
*LOB Describe the four main types of carcinogens.
Give examples of carcinogens and describe their mechanisms of action.
Cisplatin and carboplatin,
Irreversibly bind across DNA so unable to be read.
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Physical carcinogens
*LOB Describe the four main types of carcinogens.
Give examples of carcinogens and describe their mechanisms of action.
UV
Gamma
X Rays
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Viral carcinogens
*LOB Describe the four main types of carcinogens.
Give examples of carcinogens and describe their mechanisms of action.
Adenovirus- DNA
Retroviridae- RNA
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes (genetic risk factors) carcinogens
*LOB Describe the four main types of carcinogens.
Give examples of carcinogens and describe their mechanisms of action.
Gene mutations involving oncogenes (activation) or/and tumour suppressors (inactivation) common to other malignancies (TP53- Li-Fraumeni syndrome, NF1-Neurofibromatosis) or specific to the cancer type. Lynch syndrome.
Chromosome aberrations:
Translocations (e.g. BCR-ABL in Leukaemia).
Numerical disorders (e.g. trisomy 21-Down syndrome).
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
What are the mechanisms of DNA damage
*LOB: Give examples of carcinogens and describe their mechanisms of action.
`ONC Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by Dr Mark Bodman-Smith
Repair mechanisms of DNA damage
*LOB: Give examples of carcinogens and describe their mechanisms of action.
BER
NER
Mismatch
Recombination repair
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
Define progression
*LOB: Understand the molecular mechanisms involved in tumour progression, invasion and metastasis.
: Unlimited growth (not self-limited as in benign tumours) - as long as an adequate blood supply is available to prevent hypoxia.
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
Define invasiveness
*LOB: Understand the molecular mechanisms involved in tumour progression, invasion and metastasis.
: Migration of tumour cells into the surrounding stroma where they are free to disseminate via vascular or lymphatic channels to distant organs.
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
Define metastasis
*LOB: Understand the molecular mechanisms involved in tumour progression, invasion and metastasis.
Spread of tumour cells from the primary site to form secondary tumours at other sites in the body.
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
What is the molecuolar basis for tumour progression?
*LOB: Understand the molecular mechanisms involved in tumour progression, invasion and metastasis.
Acquisition of specific mutations – by carcinogens, multiple hits.
Clonal expansion – by tumour promoters.
Genomic instability – by DNA repair defects, aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome number), loss of heterozygosity.
Epigenetic changes – by gene promoter methylation.
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
Tumour progression is associated with…
*LOB: Understand the molecular mechanisms involved in tumour progression, invasion and metastasis.
with cellular heterogeneity
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
what is cellular heterogeneity
*LOB: Understand the molecular mechanisms involved in tumour progression, invasion and metastasis.
“cellular diversity”
selective pressures determine the cellular composition of tumours:
- Antigenicity
- Growth rate
- Response to hormones
- Response to cytotoxic drugs
- Capacity for invasion and metastasis
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
What are the mechanisms of tumour cell invasion?
*LOB: Describe the mechanisms of tumour cell invasion and indicate the key molecules that participate in this process.
Increased mechanical pressure caused by rapid cellular proliferation.
Hypoxia and blood supply.
Increased motility of the malignant cells (epithelial to mesenchymal transition- EMT).
Increased production of degradative enzymes by both tumour cells and stromal cells.
Increased cell ECM adhesion
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
What is angiogenesis?
*LOB: Describe the mechanisms of tumour cell invasion and indicate the key molecules that participate in this process.
development of a new blood supply is promoted by hypoxia
This occurs in tumours as they cannot not grow beyond a size of about 2mm without their own blood supply
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
How does tumour vascularisation occur?
*LOB: Describe the mechanisms of tumour cell invasion and indicate the key molecules that participate in this process.
1) Hypoxia induces HiF expression which leads to proangiogenic factors such as VEGF
2) Hypoxia encourages protease release to degrade basement membrane
3) Tip cells (expressing VEGFR) migrate along angiogenic gradient
4) Endothelial cells differentiate to produce a stalk
5) VEGF stimulates DLLR binds to Notch-1R which inturn reduces VEGF
6) PDGFβ stimulates pericyte attachment (cross-talk promotes tissue survival)
7) blood supply estabished and promotes further growth of tumour
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
What are the key molecules in angiogenesis?
*LOB: Describe the mechanisms of tumour cell invasion and indicate the key molecules that participate in this process.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2)
Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF- β)
Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF)
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
How does a tumour invade the basement membrane?
*LOB: Describe the mechanisms of tumour cell invasion and indicate the key molecules that participate in this process.
remodelling of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions which leads to the detachment of epithelial cells
Loss of:
Epithelial shape and cell polarity
Cytokeratin intermediate filament expression
Epithelial adherent junction protein (E-cadherin)
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
How does a tumour regulate Proteolytic Activity
*LOB: Describe the mechanisms of tumour cell invasion and indicate the key molecules that participate in this process.
Most tissues have large amounts of a family of inhibitors called TIMPs (Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases).
Some tumours, e.g. pancreatic tumours, have decreased levels of TIMPs
That means that the mechanism to stop MMPs is turned OFF
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling endopeptidases that have the capacity to degrade almost every component of the ECM.
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
What are the steps of metastasis?
*LOB: Summarize the steps involved in the metastatic process.
1) Primary tumour formation
2) Localised invasion
3) Intravasation (circulating tumour cells)
4) Transport through circulation
5) Arrest in microvessels
6) Extravasation (leave microvessels)
7) Form micrometastasis
8) Form a macrometastasis
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
What is Seed and Soil hypothesis?
*LOB:Explain the “Seed and Soil Hypothesis”.
The concept of tumour success being dependent on the environment
- “When a plant goes to seed, its seeds are carried in all directions but can only live and grow if they fall on congenial soil”.
- Specific adhesions between tumour cells and endothelial cells in the target organ, creating a favourable environment in the target organ for colonization.
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
What is MET and EMT
*LOB: Summarize the steps involved in the metastatic process.
Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
Compare MET and EMT
*LOB: Summarize the steps involved in the metastatic process.
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
What are liquid biopsies and why are they useful?
*LOB: Discuss the application of liquid biopsies in the detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs).
Sampling and analysis of non-solid biological tissue, primarily blood for detection of molecular biomarkers.
Identifies very specific circulating tumour cells in normal blood.
- Cancer is a heterogeneous disease and mutations (e.g. gain of an oncogene or loss of a tumour suppressor) are highly specific to tumour cells.
- Type and number of mutations involved in the development of cancer increases as the cancer progresses.
- Molecular properties within a tumour differ and also between metastatic sites.
ONC Tumour Progression, Invasion, Metastasis by Dr Bodman-Smith
How can liquid biopsies be used?
*LOB: Discuss the application of liquid biopsies in the detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs).
Profile the disease without having to extravate and identify a specific tumour.
ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith
What are the characteristics of proto-oncogenes
*LOB: Describe the main characteristics of the proto/oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes (TSG).
normal cellular genes which regulate cell growth and/or division and differentiation
ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith
What are the characteristics of oncogenes
*LOB: Describe the main characteristics of the proto/oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes (TSG).
a proto-oncogene that has been activated by mutation or overexpression.
ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith
What are the characteristics of tumour suppressor genes (TSG)
*LOB: Describe the main characteristics of the proto/oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes (TSG).
-Tumour suppressor genes (TSG) encode proteins that maintain the checkpoints and control genome stability. Inhibit replication and Repair of DNA damage (e.g. MLH1, BRCA1/2) Apoptosis (TP53)
Oncogenes antagonists
Block proliferation
Repression of transcription factors
Cell cycle inhibitors
Activation of transcription factors
DNA repair
Induce apoptosis
ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith
Explain the mechanisms for the activation of oncogenes
*LOB: Describe the main characteristics of the proto/oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes (TSG).
- Mutation in the gene results in a different oncoprotein to the normal protein within the cell.
- Oncoproteins are the same as the normal protein but expressed at higher levels.
Point Mutation: variant in proto-oncogene (KRAS in lung and pancreatic cancer) or in promoter/regulatory element
Gene Amplification: multiple copies of a gene (HER2 in breast cancer)
Chromosomal Translocation: creation of fusion protein (c-myc in Burkitt’s lymphoma ) or disruption of regulatory elements
One pathogenic mutation on one copy of a proto-oncogene is enough to cause an oncogene
A single copy of an oncogene is sufficient to promote tumorigenesis
`ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith
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Explain the mechanisms for the inactivation of TSG.
*LOB: Describe the main characteristics of the proto/oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes (TSG).
Knudson’s two-hit hypothesis: Most of loss-of-function mutations that occur in tumour suppressor genes are recessive in nature- Generally, one normal allele is sufficient for the cellular control.
A “second hit” affecting the normal allele is needed to disrupt gene’s function.
Heritable cancers develop after additional loss of the normal functional allele (loss of heterozygosity).
` ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith`
HER-2
*LOB: Give examples of oncogenes and TSG and explain their mechanisms of action.
Oncogene
* Growth factor receptor
* c-ERBB2 gene
* encodes for part of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
* Receptor dimerization is required for HER2 function.
* has intracellular tyrosine kinase activity.
* HER2 homodimer binds P27 and is degraded and prevented repressing cell division
Amplified in breast cancer
` ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith`
What is KRAS and its mechanism of action?
*LOB: Give examples of oncogenes and TSG and explain their mechanisms of action.
- KRAS is an oncogene, specifically belonging to the c-RAS and c-SRC gene families.
- KRAS proteins function as signal transducers within the cell.
- When activated (turned on), KRAS proteins bind to GTP.
- This GTP-bound state enables KRAS to** initiate signaling** cascades that control the transcription of genes involved in cellular processes.
Importantly, KRAS mutations often occur at specific hotspots, such as codons 12, 13, 18, 61, 117, and 146.
These mutations render KRAS permanently active, leading to continuous signaling independent of external stimuli.
In colorectal cancer, KRAS mutations are found in approximately 30-40% of cases
` ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith`
c-MYC
*LOB: Give examples of oncogenes and TSG and explain their mechanisms of action.
- Oncogene (nuclear)
- Transcription factor activation
- Myc: family of genes which encode for transcription factors.
Deregulated expression of c-Myc not only promotes proliferation, but also can either induce or sensitize cells to apoptosis
- Pathogenic alterations in c-myc involve gene retrovirus activation, amplifications and translocations.
- Translocation between chromosome 8 (c-Myc proto-oncogene) and chromosome 14 (immunoglobulin heavy chain gene) are commonly observed in Burkitt’s lymphoma.
` ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith`
BRCA1/BRCA2
*LOB: Give examples of oncogenes and TSG and explain their mechanisms of action.
- tumour suppressor gene
- DNA repair genes
- Knockout of the DNA repair function of one or more DNA repair genes leads to sequential acquisition of more mutations
- very high mutational load.
- No homologous recombination repair.
` ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith`
RB1
*LOB: Give examples of oncogenes and TSG and explain their mechanisms of action.
- tumour suppressor gene
- Prevents cell growth by inhibiting cell cycle until cell is ready to divide
- Phosphorylation=inactivation
Sporadic Retinoblastoma
~60% of Rb cases
No family history
Single tumour
Unilateral
Familial Retinoblastoma
~30% of Rb cases
Family history
Multiple tumours
Bilateral
500x increased risk of subsequent osteosarcoma & other tumours
` ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith`
TP53
*LOB: Give examples of oncogenes and TSG and explain their mechanisms of action.
- tumour suppressor gene
- The p53 protein prevents a cell from completing the cell cycle when DNA is damaged
- High levels actually due to inactive P53 protein
Normal P53 regulated by negative feedback
Missense mutations in hotspots (DNA binding domain). - In some cancers TP53 mutations correlate pathological stage of cancer.
ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith
Treating HER-2
*LOB: Discuss the molecular basis of current therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.
Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are monoclonal antibodies that target HER2 (targeted therapy). Blocking homodimerization.
ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith
Treating cMYC
*LOB: Discuss the molecular basis of current therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.
There is a lack of strategies to directly target Myc.
Inhibitors of its translation and Myc protein destabilizing drugs show great promise.
ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith
Treating KRAS
*LOB: Discuss the molecular basis of current therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.
Undruggable target
KRAS: point mutations affecting hotspots at codons 12 and 13 and also 18, 61, 117, and 146 at lower frequencies.
ONC Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes by Dr Bodman-Smith
Treating p53
*LOB: Discuss the molecular basis of current therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.
Current advances suggest the use of small molecules (MIRA-1, PRIMA-1) that can restore wild-type p53 functions.
ONC Classification of Tumours by Dr Lida Alarcon
Define Neoplasm
*LOB: Demonstrate an awareness of the epidemiology of common cancers and precipitating factors
new growth
abnormal mass of tissue, the growth of which exceeds and is uncoordinated with that of normal tissue and persists in the same excessive manner after cessation of the inciting stimulus
ONC Classification of Tumours by Dr Lida Alarcon
Define Metaplasia
*LOB: Demonstrate an awareness of the epidemiology of common cancers and precipitating factors
change from one differentiated cell type to another differentiated cell type (usually less specialised, reversible process)
ONC Classification of Tumours by Dr Lida Alarcon
Define Dysplasia
*LOB: Demonstrate an awareness of the epidemiology of common cancers and precipitating factors
‘disordered growth’ (encountered in epithelia and refers to cellular pleomorphism and loss of normal architecture)
ONC Classification of Tumours by Dr Lida Alarcon
Define -oma
*LOB: Demonstrate an awareness of the epidemiology of common cancers and precipitating factors
suffix applied to a lump/tumour
Generally, ‘oma’ at the end of a tumour type refers to benign neoplasm (eg. adenoma, papilloma) but there are important exceptions eg. melanoma, seminoma, thymoma
ONC Classification of Tumours by Dr Lida Alarcon
Define Tumour parenchyma
*LOB: Demonstrate an awareness of the epidemiology of common cancers and precipitating factors
proliferating neoplastic cells.
ONC Classification of Tumours by Dr Lida Alarcon
Define Tumour stroma
*LOB: Demonstrate an awareness of the epidemiology of common cancers and precipitating factors
supporting (non-neoplastic) elements
ONC Classification of Tumours by Dr Lida Alarcon
Define -carcinoma
*LOB: Demonstrate an awareness of the epidemiology of common cancers and precipitating factors
suffix applied to malignant epithelial tumours.
ONC Classification of Tumours by Dr Lida Alarcon
Define -sarcoma
*LOB: Demonstrate an awareness of the epidemiology of common cancers and precipitating factors
suffix applied to malignant connective tissue tumours.