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Related Concept Videos

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...
Cell Lines01:16

Cell Lines

A cell line is a population of cells grown in vitro that can be subcultured over several generations. Normal cells cease to divide after a certain number of cell divisions, a process known as replicative senescence. This number, called the Hayflick limit, was conceptualized by Leonard Hayflick in 1961 when he observed that fetal cells grown in culture could only divide 40-60 times. This limit is due to the shortening of the telomeres during each round of cell division, preventing cell division...
Mouse Models of Cancer Study02:43

Mouse Models of Cancer Study

Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...

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Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from Mouse Mammary Tumors as Tools for Molecular and Computational Studies
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Immortalized cells as experimental models to study cancer.

Jesse S Boehm1, William C Hahn

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.

Cytotechnology
|November 13, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Cancer development involves genetic changes. New models using immortalized human cells and understanding telomeres and telomerase offer insights into the molecular basis of cancer.

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cancer arises from accumulated genetic alterations in normal cells.
  • Traditional models using patient-derived specimens and cell lines provide valuable data.
  • Advanced experimental models are crucial for understanding malignant transformation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in cancer research models.
  • To highlight the role of telomeres and telomerase in cell lifespan regulation.
  • To explore the use of immortalized human cells for studying cancer's molecular basis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on cancer models.
  • Analysis of studies involving telomeres and telomerase.
  • Examination of research utilizing immortalized human cells.

Main Results:

  • Telomeres and telomerase are key regulators of cellular lifespan.
  • Immortalized human cells provide a foundation for novel cancer models.
  • These models facilitate deeper understanding of cancer's molecular underpinnings.

Conclusions:

  • Immortalized human cells represent a promising avenue for cancer research.
  • Understanding telomere and telomerase biology is vital for developing new cancer models.
  • Sophisticated experimental models are essential for advancing cancer biology knowledge.