W6: Cancer Bio

Question 1

Tumor is __ when the word cancer is used

Answer 1

malignant

Question 2

Cell types:

carcinoma
sarcoma
melanoma
lymphoma/leukemia

Answer 2

carcinoma - epithelial
sarcoma - mesenchymal
melanoma - melanocytes
lymphoma/leukemia - hematologic

Question 3

Metastatic cells overcome multiple barriers (4)

Answer 3

loss of cellular adhesion

increase mobility

entry and survival in circulatory system

exit and colonize distant tissue site

Question 4

Name 10 steps of metastatic cascade

Answer 4

1. growth
2. loss of adhesion
3. cross BM
4. invade ECM
5. Intravasation (enter blood stream)
6. circulation
7. attachment at distant site
8. extravasation (mimic leukocyte)
9. growth
10. angiogenesis

Question 5

2 main hypothesis for organ preference of metastasis are

Answer 5

Paget’s “seed and soil” hypothesis (certain tumors affinity for milieu of specific organs)

Ewing’s “mechanical” factors (anatomical structure of vascular system)

Question 6

Breast cancer metastasizes to __

Answer 6

bone

Question 7

First 4 steps are initial steps in metastasis.

They are also required for local invasion.

name them

Answer 7

1. growth
2. loss of adhesion
3. cross BM
4. invade ECM

Question 8

Steps for local invasion and __ of metastasis are the same.

Answer 8

initiation

Question 9

Name the steps of metastatic cascade that fall under EMT

Answer 9

3. cross BM
4. invade ECM (degrade)
5. intravasation (enter blood) - gain motility

Question 10

During EMT, cells switch cadherin __ to __

Answer 10

E to N

Question 11

EMT is marked by loss of cadherin __ which is __ dependent

Answer 11

cadherin E (loss of adhesion); Ca2+

Question 12

Normal cells that detach undergo __ but cancer cells must already have acquired mutation of __ __ gene prior to loss of adhesion to survive.

Answer 12

apoptosis

tumor suppressor

Question 13

When BM is dissolved, it is marked by decrease in __

Answer 13

TIMP (protease inhibitors)

Question 14

movement across the ECM is mediated by __ (protein) and __ factors.

Answer 14

integrin, chemotactic

Question 15

“highway for migration” during EMC invasion means:

Answer 15

realignment of EMC fibrils

Question 16

Define intravasation and extravasation

Answer 16

in: invasion of cancer cells through the BM into a blood or lymphatic vessel
ex: movement from vessel to tissue

Question 17

During intravasation, organs with leaky vessels due to __ have higher rates of metastasis

Answer 17

VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)

Question 18

mesenchymal tumor enters __

epithelial tumor enters __

Answer 18

mesenchymal: blood vessel
epithelial: lymphatics

Question 19

Survival in circulation: loss of matrix adhesion usually leads to cell death called __

Answer 19

anoikis

Question 20

Survival in circulation: form a “wolf pack” of cells called (composition)

Answer 20

tumor emboli (tumor cells + RBC/platelets)

Question 21

Attachment at distant site: exploit extravasation mechanism of leukocytes via molecules (3)

Answer 21

selectin ligands
CD44
integrins

Question 22

metastasis usually spreads:

lung to __
breast to __

Answer 22

lung to adrenal gland

breast to bone