What are the Molecular Mechanisms Behind Tumorigenesis?
Tumorigenesis is driven by a variety of molecular mechanisms:
- Oncogenes: Mutations in proto-oncogenes convert them into oncogenes, which promote cell proliferation. Examples include RAS and MYC. - Tumor Suppressor Genes: Inactivation or loss of tumor suppressor genes like TP53 and RB1 removes the cell's ability to regulate growth. - DNA Repair Genes: Defects in DNA repair pathways, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, lead to genomic instability and accumulation of mutations. - Epigenetic Modifications: Changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications can alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, contributing to cancer development.
