Cancer: Disease Caused by Alteration of Genes

Abstract

In normal cells when genetic defects occur, there are some sensitive mechanisms through which the defect might be repaired or apoptosis might be induced. However in tumor cells such mechanisms are not highly sensitive; therefore they cannot detect such abnormalities. This failure in detection and/or repair of the genetic abnormality results in the survival of abnormal cells. This survival is followed up with growth of the cells without normal control and ultimately leads to the rise of malignant clones in the body. Pathways in which these malignant transformations occur, are increasingly being studied to ­final effective treatments for different carcinomas.

Keywords

• Cancer
• Tumor suppressor genes
• Oncogenes and low penetrance genes