Hallmarks of Cancer

Flashcards covering the key concepts and vocabulary related to the hallmarks of cancer as presented in the lecture.

Genomic Instability & Mutation

Acquisition of multiple hallmarks depends on successive alterations in the genomes of neoplastic cells, leading to more mutations and chromosomal abnormalities.

Tumor-Promoting Inflammation

Inflammation stimulated by tumors that paradoxically promotes tumor growth through factors released by tumor-associated macrophages.

Reprogramming Metabolism

Tumors shift from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism to meet high energy demands for rapid proliferation, also increasing glutamine uptake.

Evading Immune Destruction

Tumors evade detection by suppressing the immune response, specifically by inhibiting cytotoxic T-cells.

Sustaining Proliferative Signaling

The ability of cancer cells to maintain continuous growth signaling, often by overproducing growth factors or altering receptor structures.

Resisting Cell Death

The ability of cancer cells to survive despite signals that would normally trigger apoptosis, often by upregulating cell death inhibitors like IAPs.

Enabling Replicative Immortality

Cancer cells maintain their ability to replicate indefinitely, often by upregulating telomerase to prevent telomere shortening.

Inducing Angiogenesis

The process by which tumors initiate blood vessel growth, primarily through the action of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Activating Invasion & Metastasis

The ability of cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant sites, often involving epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs)

Macrophages associated with tumors that provide bioactive molecules that promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, and suppress the immune response.