Questions from podcasts Flashcards
What do we mean by selective advantage?
Acquiring mutations which allow cells to out compete other cells and overcome environmental/growth constraints
How are new cells produced?
Cell division from stem cells
How do old cells die?
Apoptosis
What does a tumour need to develop?
Growth constraints to be overcome Features of limitless replication/immortality Angiogenesis (for oxygen) Ability to invade Evade apoptosis
Do tumours develop over short or long period of time?
Long
In colorectal cancer are the precursor lesions similar or different to the normal tissue?
Very different
What is the minimum number of mutations thought to be required for malignant conversion?
5-6
Why would specific mutations be selected?
Because they give a selective growth advantage at that stage
What is it called when a mutation is essential?
Oncogene addiction
What is it called when a mutation is not essential?
Oncogene amnesia
What does synthetic lethality mean?
Presence of a mutation causes dependence on another non-mutated gene
Example of synthetic lethality
BRCA1 mutation and PARP inhibitors
What is the role or PARP?
Important in repair of ssDNA breaks
What does haematopoiesis mean?
Production of blood cells and platelets and occurs in the bone marrow
Characteristics of haematopoietic stem cell
Versatility
Adaptable
Productive
Ability to retain its stemness
What is flow cytometery?
A technique used for cell counting and sorting and biomarker detection. It is mainly used in haematology
How often do haematopoietic stem cells divide?
Approx once a year
Explain the TNM staging process
T - tumour size
N - node involvement
M - metastasis
As tumour stage increases what happens to prognosis?
The prognosis worsens
CEA is an example of a product secreted by what kind of tumour?
Colorectal cancer
Name some examples of serological markers
CEA CA125 AFP CA19.9 PSA
CA125 is an example of a product secreted by what kind of tumour?
Ovarian cancer
CA19.9 is an example of a product secreted by what kind of tumour?
Pancreatic cancer
AFP is an example of a product secreted by what kind of tumour?
Hepatocellular cancers
PSA is an example of a product secreted by what kind of tumour?
Prostate cancers
What does resection mean when talking about pathology?
Removing part or all of
What effect does formalin have on tissue?
It causes cross-linking of DNA and proteins
What information do we want from molecular analysis?
Predisposition (risk of developing cancer)
Profile (gene variants present)
Prognosis (informing outcome)
Predictive (will they respond to therapy)
Pharmacogenetic (how they will handle therapy germline)
Pharmacotherapeutics (targetable genes)
Problem with pyrosequencing
Doesnt handle repeat sequences very well
Do we offer PND for inherited BRCA1/2 mutations?
Generally not because might not affect these individuals until they are 40-50
What are phaeochromocytomas indicative of
Inherited predisposition syndrome VHL
What is more time consuming sanger or NGS?
Sanger
When are splice changes hard to detect?
When they are further into the intron
What does Amsterdam criteria require before someone is tested for colorectal cancer
Three individuals of early onset colorectal cancer
MLH1 (bound to DNA) is in a pair with
PMS2
MHS2 (bound to DNA) is in a pair with
MSH6
What does neoadjuvant mean?
Treatment given before definitive (curative) treatment
What does adjuvant mean?
Treatment given after the curative treatment i.e. given to reduce the chances of recurrence
What does concurrent treatment mean?
Given alongside definitive treatment
What type of cancer can radiotherapy not be used for?
Deep seated tumours as it damages normal tissue
What does staging of disease mean?
Mapping the spread, this defines the prognosis and directs management
Different types of lung cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Small cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Does lung cancer generally present early or late?
Late - so poor prognosis
Is ALK an oncogene or a tumour suppressor?
Oncogene
What is the role of an oncogene?
Action positively promotes cell proliferation
What is the role of a tumour suppressor gene?
Action inhibits cell proliferation
Individuals who are born with mutation in a tumour suppressor gene are said to have been born with what?
“first hit” of the “two hit hypothesis”
Name key features of familial cancer predisposition
Early onset tumours
Multiple tumours in close relatives
Multiple tumours within an individual
Clusters of different tumours on a recognisable pattern
What is Von Hippel-Lindau?
AD, pancreatic cysts/tumours. renal cancer, phaeochromocytoma
