Oncogenes and oncogenesis: origin, development, cause, and therapy
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Varruchi Sharma
Abstract
Oncogenes can have different origins, such as fusion genes produced by chromosomal translocations, viral oncogenes integrated into the host genome, or normal cellular genes (called proto-oncogenes) that undergo alterations. Proto-oncogenes are genes that encode proteins necessary for cell division, growth, and proliferation; yet, they can become carcinogenic when they undergo a mutation. During this process, healthy cells develop into malignant ones. Activation of oncogenes stimulates unchecked cell proliferation, apoptosis avoidance, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Several events activate oncogenes in the body. Such events involve epigenetic modifications, viral infections, chromosomal rearrangements, genetic mutations, and environmental carcinogens. Chromosome translocations can produce fusion genes with carcinogenic characteristics, while mutations in proto-oncogenes can cause their constitutive activation. In today’s scientific era, targeting oncogenes and associated signaling pathways has become a cornerstone of cancer therapy. For the same process, various strategies have been adopted, mainly including molecular inhibitors and gene therapies. These are targeted to inhibit oncogenic proteins or block the downstream signaling cascade.
Abstract
Oncogenes can have different origins, such as fusion genes produced by chromosomal translocations, viral oncogenes integrated into the host genome, or normal cellular genes (called proto-oncogenes) that undergo alterations. Proto-oncogenes are genes that encode proteins necessary for cell division, growth, and proliferation; yet, they can become carcinogenic when they undergo a mutation. During this process, healthy cells develop into malignant ones. Activation of oncogenes stimulates unchecked cell proliferation, apoptosis avoidance, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Several events activate oncogenes in the body. Such events involve epigenetic modifications, viral infections, chromosomal rearrangements, genetic mutations, and environmental carcinogens. Chromosome translocations can produce fusion genes with carcinogenic characteristics, while mutations in proto-oncogenes can cause their constitutive activation. In today’s scientific era, targeting oncogenes and associated signaling pathways has become a cornerstone of cancer therapy. For the same process, various strategies have been adopted, mainly including molecular inhibitors and gene therapies. These are targeted to inhibit oncogenic proteins or block the downstream signaling cascade.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of contributing authors VII
- Tumor angiogenesis and cancer metastasis: physiological aspects and approachable treatments 1
- Oncogenes and oncogenesis: origin, development, cause, and therapy 31
- Natural phytochemicals and herbal nanomedicine: complementary and alternative cancer therapy 59
- Mechanism of anticancer therapy: from conventional to targeted drug delivery system 97
- Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-conjugated drug delivery nanoparticles in cancer therapeutics 131
- Anticancer drugs capable of overcoming multidrug resistance 161
- Enhanced photoradiation cancer treatment by supramolecular nanocarriers 199
- Hypoxia-inducible factors: arbitrators of cancer progression, inhibitors, and therapy 237
- Recent advances in cancer therapy: drug delivery, nanotherapeutics, and future perspectives 273
- Synergistic approach of nanocomposite film in cancer: a new paradigm for diagnosis and therapy in cancer 317
- Index 341
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of contributing authors VII
- Tumor angiogenesis and cancer metastasis: physiological aspects and approachable treatments 1
- Oncogenes and oncogenesis: origin, development, cause, and therapy 31
- Natural phytochemicals and herbal nanomedicine: complementary and alternative cancer therapy 59
- Mechanism of anticancer therapy: from conventional to targeted drug delivery system 97
- Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-conjugated drug delivery nanoparticles in cancer therapeutics 131
- Anticancer drugs capable of overcoming multidrug resistance 161
- Enhanced photoradiation cancer treatment by supramolecular nanocarriers 199
- Hypoxia-inducible factors: arbitrators of cancer progression, inhibitors, and therapy 237
- Recent advances in cancer therapy: drug delivery, nanotherapeutics, and future perspectives 273
- Synergistic approach of nanocomposite film in cancer: a new paradigm for diagnosis and therapy in cancer 317
- Index 341
