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Introduction to Cancer Biology

Introduction to Cancer Biology. Richard Begent. Aim. To explain the principles of the development of cancer and its effect on patients. Objectives. By the end of the session students should be able to: List the elements of the process of development of cancer

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Introduction to Cancer Biology

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  1. Introduction to Cancer Biology Richard Begent

  2. Aim To explain the principles of the development of cancer and its effect on patients

  3. Objectives By the end of the session students should be able to: • List the elements of the process of development of cancer • Link the elements in a structured description of the process of cancer • Relate these principles to selected clinical examples

  4. The development of a cancer

  5. Immortalisation

  6. Telomeres (TTAGGG repeats) shorten with each cell division in normal adult cells. Most cells become senescent and die after 30-60 divisions TTAGGG x n Senescence TTAGGG x n/2 TTAGGG x n TTAGGG x n/2 Repeated cell division DNA

  7. Telomerase maintains telomere length Cells can replicate indefinitely TTAGGG x n Cancer cells, foetal cells & germ cells TTAGGG x n

  8. Altered proteins • Altered function of mutant proteins • Splice variants • Altered post-translational modification

  9. Invasion Tumour invading through muscle wall of bowel Carcinoma Normal muscle wall of bowel Normal colon

  10. Large tumour masses

  11. Metastasis

  12. Loss of homeostasis • Replacement of vital organs by tumour • Infiltration into organs • Pressure from tumour masses • Breaching natural barriers to infection • Paraneoplastic syndromes • Effects of treatment • Psychological effects of debilitating illness

  13. Principles of management • Avoid risk • Identify and screen groups at risk • Diagnose at the earliest possible stage • Establish extent of spread • Establish prognosis • Local treatment for localised disease • Systemic treatment for systemic disease • Combinations are sometimes appropriate • Monitor response and adjust treatment • Monitor homeostasis and adapt management

  14. Tasks for this morning • Answer questionnaires using • What you have learnt in the lecture & text • The web sites on the questionnaire • Cancer Biology by RJB King • Pubmed & other reading

  15. Look up http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Omim/getmorbid.cgi Search for lung cancer Name 2 genes of known function, which are mutated in this disease Are they tumour suppressors or oncogenes or do they have another function?

  16. The elements of cancer; how do they fit together?

  17. Tasks for this week • Work on the questionnaires and bring them completed and with your questions for discussion at 4pm on Friday 28th April • Work in groups of 3-6 to prepare a scheme linking the elements of cancer in way that explains the process of cancer from origin to death or cure.

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