cancer

Genetic Disorders Overview

Focus of upcoming presentations: Sickle cell anemia and Phenylketonuria (PKU).
Both conditions are classified as autosomal recessive disorders, meaning both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations.

Transition from discussing genetic variants to cancer genetics due to upcoming presentations.
Classification of genetic variants: determining if a variant is benign, pathogenic, or somewhere in between.
Use of Blackboard for submission of PowerPoint presentations and access to resources.
Presentations should be uploaded by 01:30 on the day of the talk for proper organization.
Requirement for groups to email their selected research paper and specific figure for approval at least 1.5 to 2 weeks before the presentation.
- Importance of research articles that include experiments and results, avoiding review papers for certain sections of the presentation.
- Discussion board active for questions on the papers presented.

Main focus: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes as it relates to cancer genetics.
Analysis of recent cancer data from CDC focusing on incidence and mortality rates.
Observations about disparities in cancer statistics, lifestyle factors in heart disease and cancer prevalence.
- Increased prevalence of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis in newer data.
Discussion on lifestyle choices impacting cancer rates; attention on trends over time.
- Decrease in lung cancer incidences possibly due to smoking cessation efforts and education on smoking hazards.

Comparative analysis of cancer incidence rates in males and females and associated factors,
- Prostate cancer spikes due to increased testing (PSA exams), similar for breast cancer with screening advances.
- Melanoma has increased incidence rates but lower mortality rates indicating better detection and treatment.
Lifetime cancer development risk noted at more than 1 in 3 individuals.
- Increase in 5-year survival rates due to improved treatments, early detection, and lifestyle changes.

Differences between genetic mutations (causing cancer) and hereditary risks: genetic mutations can be sporadic or inherited.
Tumor behavior: benign tumors do not invade or spread, while malignant tumors do.
Characteristics of cancer cells, including loss of cell cycle regulation and altered apoptosis pathways.

Key terms: oncogenes (positive regulators of cell division) and tumor suppressor genes (negative regulators).
- Mutations in oncogenes tend to be dominant while mutations in tumor suppressor genes are typically recessive requiring two hits (mutations) for effect.
- Examples: BRCA1 and BRCA2 as tumor suppressor genes.

Task involves researching specific genes related to cancer, their normal functions, and implications for cancer risk and treatment.
Students to provide sources and categorize genes based on whether they are oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, or involved in genome stability/apoptosis.