Somatic evolution in cancer
Somatic Evolution in Cancer[edit | edit source]
Somatic evolution in cancer refers to the process by which cancer cells undergo genetic and epigenetic changes that allow them to proliferate uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissues, and metastasize to distant sites. This evolutionary process is driven by the accumulation of mutations and other genomic alterations within somatic cells, leading to the development of cancer.
Mechanisms of Somatic Evolution[edit | edit source]
Somatic evolution in cancer is characterized by several key mechanisms:
Genetic Mutations[edit | edit source]
Genetic mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can occur spontaneously or be induced by environmental factors. These mutations can affect oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and other regulatory elements, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and division.
Epigenetic Alterations[edit | edit source]
Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, can alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. These changes can contribute to cancer progression by silencing tumor suppressor genes or activating oncogenes.
Clonal Selection[edit | edit source]
Clonal selection is a process by which cells with advantageous mutations are selected for survival and proliferation. This leads to the emergence of dominant cancer cell clones that drive tumor growth and metastasis.
Genomic Instability[edit | edit source]
Genomic instability refers to an increased rate of mutations and chromosomal alterations in cancer cells. This instability can result from defects in DNA repair mechanisms and contributes to the genetic diversity of cancer cells.
Implications for Cancer Treatment[edit | edit source]
Understanding somatic evolution in cancer has important implications for the development of effective cancer therapies. Targeted therapies that specifically inhibit the function of mutated oncogenes or restore the function of tumor suppressor genes can be developed based on the genetic profile of a patient's tumor.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
