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Oncogenes as markers for early detection of cancer

G M Cooper1

  • 1Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. Supplement
|January 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Oncogenes, altered proto-oncogenes, are found in many human tumors. Their early detection as cancer markers depends on activation timing and assay sensitivity for distinguishing mutated forms.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Oncogenes arise from proto-oncogenes through mutations or DNA rearrangements.
  • Abnormal oncogene expression or function drives tumor formation.
  • Over 20 oncogenes are consistently activated across diverse human malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of oncogenes in various human cancers.
  • To assess the potential of oncogenes as early cancer detection markers.
  • To investigate factors influencing oncogene utility in diagnostics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of oncogene activation in human tumors.
  • Analysis of oncogene involvement in carcinomas, leukemias, and lymphomas.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic assay requirements for oncogene detection.

Main Results:

  • Consistent activation of approximately 20 oncogenes in multiple cancer types.
  • Oncogenes implicated in breast, colon, lung, pancreatic, and thyroid cancers.
  • Oncogenes also activated in leukemias and lymphomas.

Conclusions:

  • Oncogene activation is a hallmark of many human cancers.
  • Early cancer detection using oncogenes hinges on their activation stage.
  • Sensitive assays are crucial for distinguishing mutated oncogenes from proto-oncogenes in precancerous lesions.

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