Introduction to Cancer Genetics

Apoptosis

________ is a form of programmed cell death (cell suicide), the mechanism by which cells are programmed to die in the event they become damaged.

Angiogenesis

________ is the process by which new blood vessels are formed.

new blood vessels

The degradation of extracellular matrix necessary to form ________ increases the odds of metastasis.

Cancer cells

________ are the type of cells that have defects in the control mechanisms that govern how often they divide, and in the feedback systems that regulate these control mechanisms (i.e.

Non cancer cells

________ die after a certain number of divisions.

Normal tissues of the body

________ have blood vessels running through them that deliver oxygen from the lungs.

cancer cells

The ________ have to undergo a multitude of changes in order for them to acquire the ability to metastasize.

Cancer cells

________, however, have the ability to grow without these external signals.

There are multiple ways in which cancer cells can do this

by producing these signals themselves, known as autocrine signalling; by permanently activating the signalling pathways that respond to these signals; or by destroying "off switches" that prevent excessive growth from these signals (negative feedback)

In fact, the low ATP

ADP ratio caused by this effect likely contributes to the deactivation of mitochondria

Do cancer cells require hormones as signals to grow?

Cancer cells are self sufficient and can grow without any hormone signalling or growth factors

Are cancer cells aware of contact inhibition?

Cancer cells do not have contact inhibition, and so will continue to grow and divide, regardless of their surroundings

Can cancer cells undergo apoptosis?

Cancer cells lose this ability as they do not undergo apoptosis. The cancer cells may do this by altering the mechanisms that detect the damage or abnormalities. This means that proper signalling cannot occur, thus apoptosis cannot activate

Do cancer cells have limited number of divisions?

Cancer cells escape this limit and are capable of indefinite growth and division. All cancer cells have genetic abnormalities.

What is Angiogenesis?

Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels are formed

How does a cancer cell provide energy to an expanding tumour?

An expanding tumour requires new blood vessels and Cancer cells appear to be able to perform angiogenesis, ensuring that such cells receive a continual supply of oxygen and other nutrients

What is cancer metastasis?

Cancer cells can break away from their site or organ of origin to invade surrounding tissue and spread (metastasize) to distant body parts.