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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
08:19

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo

Published on: July 20, 2019

TNF: a tumor-suppressing factor or a tumor-promoting factor?

Fran Balkwill1, Christian Joffroy

  • 1Center for Cancer & Inflammation, Barts & the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Charterhouse Square, London, UK. f.balkwill@qmul.ac.uk

Future Oncology (London, England)
|December 15, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) has dual roles in cancer, acting as both a suppressor and promoter. In fruit flies, oncogenic Ras determines whether TNF-α suppresses or promotes tumor growth, offering insights into cancer biology.

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A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro
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Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports
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Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

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Published on: November 28, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) exhibits paradoxical roles in cancer, with historical attempts to use its antitumor properties complicated by observed tumor-promoting effects.
  • The complex mammalian tumor microenvironment hinders the study of TNF-α's dual functions.
  • Drosophila melanogaster offers a simplified model for dissecting complex genetic and cellular interactions in tumor formation.

Discussion:

  • This study demonstrates that both tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting activities of TNF-α are evolutionarily conserved in Drosophila.
  • The research identifies oncogenic Ras as a critical switch regulating TNF-α's opposing roles in tumor development.
  • Investigating TNF-α in a simpler invertebrate model provides a tractable system to understand its complex biological functions.

Key Insights:

  • TNF-α's dual role in cancer is conserved across species, from mammals to Drosophila.
  • Oncogenic Ras acts as a key determinant, dictating whether TNF-α inhibits or promotes tumor progression.
  • The fruit fly model system successfully recapitulates the complex interplay between TNF-α and oncogenic pathways.

Outlook:

  • Further research in Drosophila may elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying TNF-α's context-dependent functions in cancer.
  • Understanding how TNF-α switches between tumor suppression and promotion could reveal novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Insights from invertebrate models can inform the development of targeted cancer therapies involving TNF-α.