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Perspective: defects in cell cycle control and cancer
J Bartek1, J Lukas, J Bartkova
1Department of Cell Cycle and Cancer, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark. bartek@biobase.dk
Abstract:
The past several years have witnessed a dramatic accumulation of experimental and clinical evidence supporting the notion that the cell cycle machinery is commonly targeted on oncogenesis. While numerous cell cycle regulators qualify as proto-oncogenes or tumour suppressors and their aberrations may provide direct proliferative advantage to cancer cells, defects in checkpoint mechanisms act more indirectly yet affect both tumour progression and response to anticancer therapy. In this review, the ways that cell cycle defects contribute to oncogenesis are briefly illustrated and the emerging benefits of the newly gained insights into the cell cycle clock for clinical oncology are critically considered. Given the many reviews on the subject, emphasis is put on concepts rather than comprehensive treatment of the selected topics, with particular attention given to controversial issues, unorthodox phenomena, and the challenge facing the 'cell cycle and cancer field' at the transition to the next millennium.
Insights
Cell cycle defects are frequently implicated in cancer development and progression. Understanding these disruptions offers new avenues for cancer therapy and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The cell cycle machinery is a common target in oncogenesis.
- Aberrations in cell cycle regulators can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation.
- Defects in cell cycle checkpoints influence tumor progression and therapeutic response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how cell cycle defects contribute to oncogenesis.
- To critically evaluate the clinical oncology benefits of cell cycle clock insights.
- To focus on concepts, controversial issues, and future challenges in the field.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on experimental and clinical evidence.
- Conceptual analysis of cell cycle defects in cancer.
- Discussion of controversial and unorthodox phenomena.
Main Results:
- Cell cycle machinery is a key player in oncogenesis.
- Checkpoint defects indirectly impact tumor progression and therapy.
- Insights into the cell cycle clock have emerging clinical benefits.
Conclusions:
- Cell cycle defects are integral to cancer development.
- Targeting the cell cycle offers potential for novel cancer therapies.
- Continued research is crucial for addressing challenges in the cell cycle and cancer field.