Most environmental causes of cancer are mutagens: mutagenic compounds,X-rays,uv Enzymatic conversion H:C-O to reactive epoxide Spontaneous reaction with N7 of guanosine H3 Aflatoxin B 3,4-benzpyrene DNA
Most environmental causes of cancer are mutagens: mutagenic compounds, X-rays, uv Enzymatic conversion ve epoxide Spontaneous reaction with N7 of guanosine H i 3C O O O O O O to react H3C O O Aflatoxin B O O O HO O O N+ HN G H2N N 3,4-benzpyrene N DNA
Cancer tends to arise in actively dividing cells Epithelial cells(lining of intestine,lungs etc.)=carcinoma Blood and lymphatic cells lukemia,meyloma,lymphoma Connective tissue (bones,tendons muscle)=sarcoma
Cancer tends to arise in actively dividing cells • Epithelial cells (lining of intestine, lungs etc.) = carcinoma • Blood and lymphatic cells = lukemia, meyloma, lymphoma • Connective tissue (bones, tendons muscle) = sarcoma
Cancer is a genetic disease of somatic cells The underlying cause is mutations that release cells from the normal constraints that exist in well organized tissues allowing uncontrolled growth Which are the key genes that are mutated
Cancer is a genetic disease of somatic cells The underlying cause is mutations that release cells from the normal constraints that exist in well organized tissues allowing uncontrolled growth Which are the key genes that are mutated ?
Incidence of stomach cancer as a function of age 800 Stomach Cancer 700 Males(1975) Males(1992) 600 600007 500 400 300 Females(1975) 200 100 Females (1992) 01020304050607080 51525354555657585 Age Incidence of stomach cancer as a function of age. Figure by MIT OCW
Incidence of stomach cancer as a function of age 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 0 5 10 3020 2515 35 5545 5040 60 80 85 70 7565 Age (1992) Stomach Cancer Rate per 100,000 Females Females (1975) Males (1992) Males (1975) Incidence of stomach cancer as a function of age. Figure by MIT OCW
Major complications in understanding the genetic basis of cancer Multiple mutations are necessary to produce a tumor cell Different types of tumor have different genes mutated Early initiating events occur rarely in complex tissues and are therefore extremely difficult to detect The key initiating event often leads to an increase in mutation rate thus tumor cells often bear many fortuitous mutations Important aspects of the disease we won't discuss relate to the spread of cancer cells and the formation of large tumors (metastasis and angiogenesis)
Major complications in understanding the genetic basis of cancer • Multiple mutations are necessary to produce a tumor cell • Different types of tumor have different genes mutated • Early initiating events occur rarely in complex tissues and are therefore extremely difficult to detect • The key initiating event often leads to an increase in mutation rate thus tumor cells often bear many fortuitous mutations Important aspects of the disease we won't discuss relate to the spread of cancer cells and the formation of large tumors (metastasis and angiogenesis)