Cancer

Question 1

What is the #2 cause of death in the U.S. behind cardiovascular disease?

Answer 1

Cancer

Question 2

What are the general causes of cancer?

Answer 2

Lifestyle, environmental pollutants, genetics, impaired immune surveillance

Question 3

What is a major exception to the idea that once we are full grown that most cell proliferation ceases?

Answer 3

Skin cells and cells that line mucous membranes must be continually replaced due to wear and tear (must be carefully controlled)

Question 4

What are the two basic types of control systems that can be disrupted when cancer develops?

Answer 4

1 systems that promote normal cell growth

2 safeguard systems that protect against uncontrolled cell growth

Question 5

What is a proto-oncogene?

Answer 5

A particular gene that WHEN mutated can cause a cell to proliferate inappropriately

Question 6

What is an oncogene?

Answer 6

MUTATED version of gene that has the potential to cause cancer

Question 7

A mutation of which tumor suppressor protein is found commonly in most tumors?

Answer 7

p53

Question 8

What normally occurs to cells if genetic damage due to mutation is severe?

Answer 8

Apoptosis

Question 9

p53 is coded for by what tumor suppressor gene?

Answer 9

TP53 (anti-oncogene)

Question 10

What usually happens to mice that lack p53?

Answer 10

Die of cancer within 6-7 months

Question 11

What is the current estimation for how many mutations are required to produce most common cancers?

Answer 11

4-7

Question 12

Why does cancer usually occur later in life?

Answer 12

Takes a relatively long time to accumulate multiple mutations (4-7, on average) to cause cancer

Question 13

What types of cancers are more common in humans with weakened immune systems?

Answer 13

Lymphoma and virus-associated cancers

Question 14

Karposi sarcomas are associated with which virus and condition?

Answer 14

HHV-8 and AIDS

Question 15

What type of cancer is associated with HPV?

Answer 15

Cervical

Question 16

What type of cancer is associated with hepatitis B (20%)?

Answer 16

Liver

Question 17

It is estimated that what percentage of cancers are caused by viruses?

Answer 17

15-20%

Question 18

What did most humans die of 200 years ago?

Answer 18

Infectious disease

Question 19

Mice deficient in what protein were more likely to develop tumors (primarily in the intestine) even while being raised in patogen free conditions?

Answer 19

RAG-2 protein

Question 20

What is the function of RAG-2 protein?

Answer 20

Necessary to assemble BRC and TCR

Question 21

In humans with cancer, higher counts of what kind of cell associated with the tumor are linked to longer survival rates?

Answer 21

Lymphocytes (B and T cells)

Question 22

CTLs are effective against what kind of cancers?

Answer 22

Cancerous blood cells

Question 23

Why aren’t CTLs effective against virus-associated tumors?

Answer 23

Due to hiding viruses which CTLs aren’t effective against

Question 24

Why aren’t CTLs effective against spontaneous tumors?

Answer 24

Traffic pattern issues
Conflict between self tolerance and surveillance
Unable to supply co-stimulation

Question 25

What kind of tumors make up the majority of cancers?

Answer 25

Spontaneous

Question 26

Why are CTLs effective against cancerous blood cells?

Answer 26

Traffic patterns of cancer cells in blood intersect with virgin T cells Some cancerous blood cells express high levels of B7 (co-stimulation)

Question 27

Which are quick acting against cancer: macrophages or CTLs?

Answer 27

Macrophages

Question 28

How can hyperactivated macrophages kill certain types of cancers?

Answer 28

Release of TNF, preventing angiogenesis leading to tumor necrosis

Question 29

What benefit allows macrophages to intercept at an early stage?

Answer 29

Macrophages are typically located in tissues where most tumors occur

Question 30

What effect does abnormal expression of surface molecules on tumors have on macrophages?

Answer 30

Enables them to differentiate between cancer cells and normal cells

Question 31

How can natural killer cells affect cancer cells?

Answer 31

In vitro NK cells can destroy some cancer cells NK cells target cells expressing low MHC I levels and unusual surface molecules Quick acting On call in blood (like neutrophils)

Question 32

What vaccines are used to prevent certain cancers?

Answer 32

``` Hepatitis B (preventing liver cancer) HPV (preventing cervical cancer) ```

Question 33

What types of HPV are implicated in 70% of all cervical cancer?

Answer 33

HPV-16 and HPV-18

Question 34

Which types of HPV are associated with genital warts?

Answer 34

HPV-6 and HPV-11

Question 35

Which HPV vaccine is directed against HPV-16, 18, 6, and 11?

Answer 35

Merck vaccine

Question 36

Which HPV vaccine is directed against HPV-16 and HPV-18/

Answer 36

GSK

Question 37

HPV vaccines are made from what?

Answer 37

Viral coat proteins

Question 38

What manufactured antibody enables T cells to more effectively attack cancer cells?

Answer 38

MPDL320A

Question 39

What protein does MPDL320A target?

Answer 39

PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1)

Question 40

Where is PD-L1 found, and what is its function?

Answer 40

On surface of many cancer cells; impairs the immune system's ability to fight the disease

Question 41

What substance can be injected into a tumor to hyperactivate the macrophages to destroy the tumor?

Answer 41

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)

Question 42

The BCG vaccine is sometimes used to immunize (not always effectively) against what disease?

Answer 42

TB

Question 43

Overall, what two types of cells can provide surveillance against certain types of cancer cells?

Answer 43

NK cells and macrophages

Question 44

Why is a functioning immune system important in fighting cancer?

Answer 44

May reduce the frequency of metastasis or slow metastatic process once primary tumor has formed