Final Review

• Cells that experience uncontrolled cell growth. - Multifactorial: Not just genetics, environment, or lifestyle.

Over 60 mutations

Some for tumors, some don’t, some tumors spread, some don’t. Causes, symptoms, and treatments vary from one cancer to the next.

Cancer. Good news: Cancer deaths are on the decline.

Mutations in genes that promote cell growth. • Excess production of growth factors, growth receptors. Ex: ErbB2-breast cancer • Improper activation of signal transduction: Ras Pathway • Overexpression of transcription factor • Mutation of cell cylce regulator • Dominant Mutation

Mutation in gene or gene product which limits cell growth, promotes DNA repair or trigger apoptosis Example: -p53: 53 kDa in size -activates DNA repair, cell arrest, and apoptosis -frequently mutated in cancerous cells -recessive mutation -HPV involves loss of p53

• Cell does not respond to signals for apoptosis: target for treatment • Cell cycle checkpoints become invalid and mutated cells continue through M phase • Lack of checkpoints results in accumulation of mutations: Can affect tumor, other suppressor genes, and oncogenes

• Evading apoptosis • Self-sufficiency in growth signals • Insensitivity to anti-growth signals • Tissue invasion and metastasis • Limitless replicative potential • Sustained angiogenisis

Cancer Cells: • Use unusual metabolic pathways • Evade immune system • Have higher than usual mutation rates • Cause inflammation in tissues

Tumor mass that contains cells able to proliferate

Tumor mass that contains cells able to proliferate AND INVADE (metastasize)

• Limit exposure to carcinogens • Healthy diet: some chemicals found in food can prevent cells from entering cell cycle • Anti-inflammatory drugs: aspirin and melanoma • Vaccines: HPV

To detect cancer at an early stage before symptoms appear include: • physical • chemical/lab test: Pap, HPV, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) • Imaging: Mammography, colonoscopy, MRI, CT, ultrasound • Genetic tests: Genetic microarrays

Optical techniques exist to find cancer

Test to confirm cancer: • Remove a sample of cells and complete a microscopic evaluation • Can determine type and grade of cancer

• Surgery • Radiation and Chemotherapy • Targeted therapy: molecular and immuno

-Can be used to treat cancer

(CNS): includes the brain and spinal cord. Contains white and grey matter.

(PNS): Consists of neurons that transmit messages to and from CNS

Contains antagonistic sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions (antagonists)

Consists of myelinated axons

Unmyelinated axons, dendrites, and cell bodies

-Highly specialized set of cells -Connect with one another to form networks -Transmit and receive signals to and from different parts of the body Contribute to both brain and body functions

Parts: • Cell body: houses the organelles and nucleus • Dendrites: Receive messages from other neurons and relay the signals • Axon: Transmits signals to recipient cells