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Related Concept Videos

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...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

A Mouse Model of Incompletely Resected Soft Tissue Sarcoma for Testing (Neo)adjuvant Therapies
07:15

A Mouse Model of Incompletely Resected Soft Tissue Sarcoma for Testing (Neo)adjuvant Therapies

Published on: July 28, 2020

Tumors line up for a letdown.

Joshua T Mendell1

  • 1McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine and Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. jmendell@jhmi.edu

Nature Genetics
|June 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Cancer cells hijack a developmental pathway to suppress let-7 microRNA (miRNA) production. This mechanism, involving Lin-28 proteins, allows cancer cells to eliminate an miRNA that normally inhibits tumor growth.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression with vital roles in normal development.
  • The let-7 miRNA family is known for its tumor-suppressive functions.
  • Lin-28 and Lin-28B are RNA-binding proteins that inhibit let-7 miRNA biogenesis during development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether cancer cells utilize developmental miRNA regulatory mechanisms.
  • To determine if cancer cells exploit the Lin-28/let-7 axis for their own benefit.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of miRNA regulatory pathways in select cancer cells.
  • Investigation of the role of Lin-28 and Lin-28B proteins in cancer.
  • Examination of let-7 miRNA biogenesis inhibition in the context of cancer development.

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Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: June 2, 2023

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

A Mouse Model of Incompletely Resected Soft Tissue Sarcoma for Testing (Neo)adjuvant Therapies
07:15

A Mouse Model of Incompletely Resected Soft Tissue Sarcoma for Testing (Neo)adjuvant Therapies

Published on: July 28, 2020

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
06:08

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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Main Results:

  • A specific developmental mechanism for miRNA regulation was found to be co-opted by cancer cells.
  • Cancer cells utilize Lin-28 and Lin-28B RNA binding proteins to inhibit the production of let-7 miRNA.
  • This inhibition effectively removes an antitumorigenic miRNA, facilitating cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer cells appropriate the Lin-28-mediated inhibition of let-7 biogenesis, a key developmental pathway.
  • This hijacking allows cancer cells to evade the tumor-suppressive effects of let-7 miRNA.
  • Targeting this regulatory axis may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.