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Oncogenes and human neoplasia

H C Pitot

    Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
    |March 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Oncogenic RNA viruses contain genes (v-onc) also found in normal cells (c-onc). Activation of these cellular oncogenes drives neoplastic transformation, but their role in chemical or radiation-induced cancers remains unclear.

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular biology
    • Oncology
    • Virology

    Background:

    • Oncogenic RNA viruses possess genes (v-onc) critical for neoplastic transformation.
    • These viral oncogenes have highly conserved cellular counterparts (c-onc) present in normal cells.
    • Viral oncogenes are typically expressed at high levels in infected cells.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of oncogene activation in neoplastic transformation.
    • To explore the mechanisms by which cellular oncogenes (c-onc) become activated.
    • To clarify the involvement of oncogene activation in chemical and radiation-induced cancers.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of viral and cellular oncogene expression.
    • Investigation of oncogene activation mechanisms.
    • Comparative studies of oncogene roles in viral versus non-viral carcinogenesis.

    Main Results:

    • Viral oncogenes (v-onc) are present in most oncogenic RNA viruses and have homologous cellular genes (c-onc).
    • Activation of c-onc genes can lead to abnormal or increased expression in malignant cells.
    • The precise role of oncogene activation in chemical and radiation-induced neoplasia is not yet fully understood.

    Conclusions:

    • Oncogene activation is a critical step in virus-induced neoplastic transformation.
    • Further research is needed to elucidate the role of oncogene activation in other forms of cancer development.

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