Cancer Flashcards
What are the characteristics of cancer cells grown in the lab?
- Immortal
- Loss of contact inhibition
- Uncontrolled growth
- High genetic instability
Give examples of common genetic abnormalities
- Point mutation
- Insertion
- Deletion
- Aneuploidy
- Chromosomal Translocation
- Gene amplification
What are the properties of normal cells?
- are induced by positive growth factors
- are prevented by negative growth factors
- have a finite lifespan
- undergo apoptosis - have no influence on blood vessel formation
- immobile
- are genetically stable
What is angiogenesis?
The formation of new blood vessels. This involves the migration, growth, and differentiation of endothelial cells.
What are oncogenes?
Mutated genes that play a role in promoting growth and divisions of cells leading to a tumour.
What are tumour suppressor genes?
Genes that play a role in controlling growth/protecting cells against damaged. Mutations that inactivate both copies of these genes cause cancer.
What are cancer risk factors?
- Ageing
- Genetics - some people are predisposed to cancer.
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Oral contraceptives
- Sunlight
- X-rays
- Biological agents e.g. HPV, Hepatitis B, H. pylori
Are all carcinogens genotoxic?
No, some are non-genetic. They can induce growth and DNA replication without being mutagenic.
How do we know something causes cancer?
- Animal tests
- in vitro tests
- epidemiology studies
Give and explain 2 types of epidemiology
studies.
- Case-control studies: Compare disease groups with matched common groups to look for factors more common in the people with the disease.
- Prospective studies: Follow the population over time to confirm that the disease is linked to the suspected cause.
What is genetic susceptibility in relation to cancer?
Some people are genetically predisposed to cancer. This may be due to SNP in genes involved metabolism, detoxification and DNA repair.
