1. Notes on the Genetics of Cancer Part 1 - Dec 3, 2007

2. What is Cancer?

3. “The Disease caused by uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.”

4. Cancer Cells Undergo constant cell division (~ every 2 days) and never enter G 0.

5. Cancer Cells Undergo constant cell division (~ every 2 days) and never enter G 0. No adhesion dependence (don’t need to be attached to another cell)

6. Cancer Cells Undergo constant cell division (~ every 2 days) and never enter G 0. No adhesion dependence (don’t need to be attached to another cell) No density dependence (continue to divide even when surrounded by other cells to form a 3D tumor)

7. Cancer Cells The are de-differentiated (your 200+ cell types all look the same when cancerous and lose their function)

8. Cancer Cells They invade other tissues (local or metastasis)

9. Cancer Cells They invade other tissues (local or metastasis) They are angiogenic (they cause the creation of new capillaries to bring blood to the tumor).

10. Cancer Treatment The best offense is a good _________

11. Prevention and Detection No smoking Avoid BBQ High fiber foods Fresh veggies Wear sunblock Mole watch Self-examination Colonoscopy

12. Treatments Excision: removal of tumor (lumpectomy) and surrounding tissues (radical), including lymph nodes

13. Treatments Chemotherapy: drugs that target rapidly dividing cells, such as a cancerous tumor, but unfortunately include hair follicles, dermal cells that create skin, and the lining of the digestive system.

14. Treatments Radiation: destroys DNA and stimulates apoptosis (intentional cell death) via activation of the p53 gene (tumor suppressor gene). Anti-angiogenesis drugs Anti-telomerase drugs

15. The Genetics of Cancer Mutation in cell cycle genes > loss of control of cell cycle 2 (colon) to 15 (lung) gene mutations are required for cancer to happen

16. Protooncogenes These genes stimulate cell division (repair and replacement of cells). Dominant alleles (only 1 needed), so only 1 mutation necessary Once mutated and stuck in “on” position, called “oncogenes” (onco=cancer) Protooncogene = gas pedal

17. Tumor supressor gene TSG’s arrest cell division. Recessive alleles, so two mutations needed for effect (cancer). TSG’s = brakes

18. POGs + TSGs So….if you have a mutation of a POG and both copies of the TSG, it is like gluing the gas pedal to the floor and disconnecting your brakes. Not good.