Chapter 20
Cancer
![What is Cancer?](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12076.jpg)
Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially…
![Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12077.jpg)
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate…
![Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12079.jpg)
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary…
![The Tumor Microenvironment](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12080.jpg)
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood…
![Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12082.jpg)
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression…
![Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12232.jpg)
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression…
![The Retinoblastoma Gene](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12234.jpg)
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of…
![The <em>Ras</em> Gene](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12084.jpg)
The Ras-gene-encoded proteins are regulators of signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, or cell survival. The Ras-gene…
![Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12083.jpg)
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes…
![Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12233.jpg)
Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens.…
![Mouse Models of Cancer Study](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12088.jpg)
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They…
![Cancer Prevention](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12089.jpg)
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular…
![Targeted Cancer Therapies](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12091.jpg)
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences…
![Treatment Resistant Cancers](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12092.jpg)
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also…
![A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/thumbs/54429_t.png)
Understanding the early heterotypic interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding non-cancerous stroma is important in elucidating the events…
![Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts](https://cloudfront.jove.com/files/thumbs/60646_t.png)
We present here an integrative approach for testing efficacy of targeted therapies that combines the next generation sequencing technolo-gies,…