Mechanisms in Cancer
Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease driven by various cellular processes. Understanding these mechanisms is pivotal for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
Key mechanisms in cancer include:
- Cell Cycle Dysregulation: Abnormalities in the cell cycle control lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation, a hallmark of cancer.
- Cell Death Resistance: Cancer cells often evade programmed cell death (apoptosis), allowing them to persist and accumulate.
- Tumor Proliferation: Uncontrolled growth and division of cancer cells contribute to the formation and expansion of tumors.
- Tumor Angiogenesis: The development of new blood vessels to supply nutrients to the tumor, supporting its growth and survival.
- Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells to distant organs, enabling the establishment of secondary tumors.
The past few decades have witnessed remarkable progress in understanding the molecular and cellular framework of cancer forming the basis for novel innovative and efficient oncological therapies, during later years with a particular emphasis on harnessing anti-tumor immunity. As a result, several tumor markers are currently being used for a wide range of cellular processes in cancer.