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Pharmaco-therapeutic challenges in cancer biology with focus on the immune- system related risk factors
1Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Norway. zlatko.dembic@odont.uio.no.
Abstract:
Over the past, progress has always been achieved in therapy of various human diseases with the introduction of novel methodologies from basic to clinical research. Recent advances in techniques, especially DNA sequencing and methylation analyses, faster miniaturized proteomics and live cellular stainings, are opening a new era in cancer research. Perhaps the difference this time can be envisaged as the beginning of the long-sought individualization of forthcoming cancer therapies. Cancer has complex genetic susceptibility that is wider than previously thought. Apart from genes encoding six functional capabilities of cancer - independent growth, avoidance of apoptosis, immortalization, multi-drug resistance, neovascularization, and invasiveness - predisposition includes four more factors that promote genome instability, inflammation, deregulation of metabolism as well as evasion of destruction by the immune system. The underlying genetic events, i.e. base-pair DNA mutations, are not the sole factors in cancer development. Additional novel controls of gene expression have been found in the epigenetic machinery, which has been increasingly important in assessing cancer risk in recent years. The predisposing factors, including their regulatory elements, are bona fide potential new targets in prospective cancer pharmacotherapy.
Insights
Novel DNA sequencing and proteomics techniques herald a new era in personalized cancer therapy. Understanding complex genetic and epigenetic factors is key to developing targeted cancer treatments and pharmacotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cancer therapy has advanced through novel research methodologies.
- Recent technological breakthroughs in DNA sequencing, methylation analysis, proteomics, and live cell imaging are revolutionizing cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the shift towards individualized cancer therapies.
- To discuss the expanded understanding of cancer susceptibility beyond genetic mutations.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advances in DNA sequencing and methylation analyses.
- Exploration of proteomics and live cellular staining techniques.
- Analysis of genetic and epigenetic factors contributing to cancer predisposition.
Main Results:
- Cancer susceptibility is more complex than previously understood, involving genetic and epigenetic factors.
- Six core cancer capabilities (growth, apoptosis evasion, immortalization, drug resistance, neovascularization, invasiveness) are now understood alongside genome instability, inflammation, metabolic deregulation, and immune evasion.
- Epigenetic modifications represent novel controls of gene expression and are crucial for cancer risk assessment.
Conclusions:
- The integration of advanced techniques signifies a move towards personalized cancer treatment.
- Epigenetic machinery and other predisposing factors offer promising new targets for cancer pharmacotherapy.
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