Tumour Microenvironment and Metabolism Lecture Notes

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to tumour microenvironment and metabolism in cancer as outlined in lecture notes.

Tumour Microenvironment

The immediate, local environment of the tumour, focusing on cancer cells and surrounding non-cellular material.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding through the activation of platelets and clotting factors at the site of injury.

Inflammation

The response where inflammatory cells, like neutrophils and macrophages, enter the wound to fight infection and promote healing.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels, stimulated by factors released from hypoxic cells in the wound.

Proliferation and Remodeling

The process of wound healing that includes cell growth, differentiation, and the reconstruction of tissue.

Fibroblasts

Cells found in connective tissue that participate in wound healing, differentiation, and extracellular matrix maintenance.

Hypoxia

A condition where there is insufficient oxygen supply, often leading to the activation of HIF1⍺ and angiogenesis.

Warburg Phenomenon

The conversion of pyruvate to lactate in tumours, which becomes the predominant means of ATP generation even in the presence of oxygen.

HIF1⍺

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-alpha; a transcription factor that regulates the response to hypoxia and influences cancer metabolism.

Autophagy

The process of cellular digestion of its own components, activated in times of stress to recycle biomolecules and organelles.

Oncometabolite

A metabolite, like D-2-HG, produced by mutant enzymes that leads to epigenetic changes and cancer progression.

18FDG PET scan

A imaging technique used to visualize cancer based on its increased glucose uptake.

EDH1 mutation

A mutation in the IDH1 gene associated with certain cancers, leading to changes in metabolism and epigenetics.