YW - Molecular Basis of Cancer I Flashcards
What is the basic difference between a normal cell and a cancer cell? (2)
Normal cell: Has regulated gene expression
Cancer cell: Active oncogene and deleted tumor suppressor gene, causing uncontrolled growth
What is Selective Toxicity in cancer treatment? (2)
The use of chemical agents toxic to cancer cells but not affecting the host.
- Problem: Diseased cells are similar to healthy cells (e.g., bone marrow, skin, GI mucosa).
What are windows of opportunity in cancer treatment?
Times when cancer cells are especially vulnerable to treatment.
What is the role of precision medicine in cancer treatment?
Developing therapies tailored to an individual’s specific genetic abnormalities in their tumor.
How does PTEN- affect cancer?
PTEN- (green) is cancerous.
PTEN+ being left is the best anticancer situation.
How does the Raf mutation relate to melanoma? (2)
- Raf mutation is crucial in melanoma development.
- Selectively targeting Raf signaling can have anticancer effects.
What is proliferation in the context of normal and cancer cells?
- Normal proliferation: Growth and reproduction of cells.
- Cancerous proliferation: Increased cell growth, a hallmark of cancer.
What is apoptosis and its role in cancer? (2)
- Apoptosis is the self-destruction of damaged cells.
- Cancer cells avoid apoptosis, allowing them to proliferate uncontrollably.
What distinguishes benign and malignant tumors? (2)
Benign: Local growth, defined boundaries, retains tissue characteristics. (not cancer)
Malignant: Invasive, undefined edges, less differentiated, capable of metastasis.
What is neoplasia in cancer?
Excessive cell proliferation that is not related to normal growth and repair.
What are metastases in cancer?
Secondary tumors that form when cancer cells invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
How are cancer cells genetically different from normal cells?
Cancer cells have altered genomes, with chromosome size/number abnormalities and interchromosomal rearrangements.
What is the difference between germline mutation and somatic mutation? (2)
Germline mutation: Inherited, present in sperm or egg.
Somatic mutation: Acquired, present in cancer cells but not in the patient’s healthy cells.
What percentage of cancers have a hereditary component?
5–10% of cancer cases have a hereditary component, e.g., BRCA1/2 in breast cancer.
What is hereditary predisposition in cancer?
Some families are more susceptible to certain cancers, but cancer itself is not inherited.
