Acquired Capabilities of Cancer From: Hanahan D. Weinberg RA. The hallmarks of cancer. Cell Jan 7;100(1):57-70
Tumor Development Occurs in Stages Weinberg RA. How cancer arises. Sci Am Sep;275(3):62-70.
Tumor Development Occurs in Stages, cont. Weinberg RA. How cancer arises. Sci Am Sep;275(3):62-70.
Genetic abnormalities in cancer cells 1.Oncogenes get activated or become expressed more than normal –Oncogene: a gene that, when mutated or dysregulated, participates in the onset and development of cancer –The protein may be expressed at a greater level (more protein in the cell) become more active lose its potential to be regulated increase its stability (hang around in the cell longer) –These changes can cause the cell to be hyper-responsive to growth signals, grow in the absence of proper growth signals, evade apoptosis, etc.
Genetic abnormalities, cont. 2.Tumor suppressor genes stop working –Tumor suppressor gene: a gene that protects a cell from one step in the cancer pathogenesis process –The gene product may be a protein that maintains the normal cell cycle, inhibits an oncogene, inhibits cell division, etc. –When a tumor suppressor gene is mutated or dysregulated, the cell can progress to cancer if other aberrations are also present
Gibbs WW. Untangling the roots of cancer. Sci Am Jul;289(1):56-65.
Cancer can spread to other sites Ruoslahti E. How cancer spreads. Sci Am Sep;275(3):72-7.
Cancer can spread to other sites, cont. Ruoslahti E. How cancer spreads. Sci Am Sep;275(3):72-7.
New cases of cancer in the U.S. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2008.
Cancer deaths among U.S. men
Cancer deaths among U.S. women (includes cervix)
Role of body weight and IGF-1 in cancer development Trends Endocrinol Metab Oct;17(8):328-36
T. vaginalis Parasitic protozoan Infection affects 5-20% of U.S. young adults, typically asymptomatic in males Causes inflammation and may induce anti-apoptosis genes Preliminary data suggest that infection is linked to higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer