61. Molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis. Tumor cells features. Tumor markers. Factors that cause cancer. Direct carcinogens and pro-carcinogens. Pro-carcinogen metabolic activation. Stages of chemical carcinogenesis. Oncogenes and proto-oncogenes. Mechanisms of transformation of proto-oncogenes into oncogenes. Oncogenes and growth factors. Oncogenic viruses. Oncogenes and signal transduction. Mechanisms of tumor cell progression and metastasis. P-glycoproteins. Tumor-suppressor genes. Mechanism of action of anticancer drugs.
Topic 61 of 71 in the MU Plovdiv syllabus for Biochemistry (Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 5 sections, about 653 words (5 min of reading), with 10 flashcards.
In this note
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ONCOGENESIS
ONCOGENES AND PROTO-ONCOGENES
PRINCIPLES OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
MCQS
ANSWERS
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ONCOGENESIS
Overview of Oncogenesis
Definition: Oncogenesis, or tumorigenesis, is the process through which normal cells transform into cancer cells.
Key Processes:
Uncontrolled Cell Division: Cancer cells proliferate without the normal regulatory mechanisms.
Avoidance of Apoptosis: Cancer cells evade programmed cell death.
Angiogenesis: Formation of new blood vessels to supply the tumour.
Metastasis: Spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ONCOGENESIS
Protein Kinases
Role in Cell Signalling: Function: Protein kinases are enzymes that modify other proteins by adding phosphate groups (phosphorylation), which can activate or deactivate target proteins.
Significance in Cancer: Dysregulation of protein kinases can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer.
Examples: Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs): Such as EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) and HER2, which, when mutated or overexpressed, can drive oncogenesis.
Serine/Threonine Kinases: Such as BRAF, which is involved in the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway and can be mutated in cancers like melanoma.
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ONCOGENESIS
Growth Factors
Definition: Growth factors are proteins that stimulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival.
Role in Cancer:
Overproduction: Cancer cells may produce excessive amounts of growth factors.
Autocrine Signalling: Cancer cells may respond to their own growth factors, leading to uncontrolled growth.
Examples:
EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor): Binds to EGFR and promotes cell proliferation.
VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor): Promotes angiogenesis, supplying the tumour with nutrients and oxygen.
Continue reading free
The whole note, all 5 sections, is free with an AceMed account, with its 10 flashcards. Premium adds flashcard recall, highlights and Ask AI.
