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Related Concept Videos

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
What is Cancer?02:12

What is Cancer?

Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland
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Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland

Published on: June 7, 2019

Breast cancer: origins and evolution.

Kornelia Polyak1

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. kornelia_polyak@dfci.harvard.edu

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|November 3, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Breast cancer comprises distinct subtypes, necessitating research into heterogeneity for targeted therapies. Understanding molecular drivers, including genetic, microenvironmental, and epigenetic factors, is crucial for clinical application.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with diverse subtypes impacting clinical outcomes.
  • Understanding tumor heterogeneity is critical for developing effective cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
  • Current models include cancer stem cell and clonal evolution hypotheses for tumor diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the molecular underpinnings of breast cancer heterogeneity.
  • To bridge the gap between molecular understanding and clinical translation of findings.
  • To investigate the roles of genetic, microenvironmental, and epigenetic factors in breast cancer progression.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive, unbiased molecular studies of breast tumors.

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Generation of Organ-conditioned Media and Applications for Studying Organ-specific Influences on Breast Cancer Metastatic Behavior
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Generation of Organ-conditioned Media and Applications for Studying Organ-specific Influences on Breast Cancer Metastatic Behavior

Published on: June 13, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland
06:29

Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland

Published on: June 7, 2019

Generation of Organ-conditioned Media and Applications for Studying Organ-specific Influences on Breast Cancer Metastatic Behavior
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Generation of Organ-conditioned Media and Applications for Studying Organ-specific Influences on Breast Cancer Metastatic Behavior

Published on: June 13, 2016

  • Analysis of patient populations to understand inter- and intratumoral diversity.
  • Integration of data on genetic alterations, microenvironmental influences, and epigenetic changes.

    • Main Results:

    • Significant advancements in the molecular understanding of breast cancer subtypes.
    • Identification of key factors contributing to tumor initiation and progression.
    • Highlighting the complexity beyond purely genetic alterations.

    Conclusions:

    • Breast cancer heterogeneity presents a significant challenge for targeted interventions.
    • Translating comprehensive molecular findings into clinical practice remains an ongoing challenge.
    • Further research integrating diverse molecular and microenvironmental data is needed for improved patient outcomes.