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Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

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Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
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Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

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The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
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Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

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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,...
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Positive Regulator Molecules02:39

Positive Regulator Molecules

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Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
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mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

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The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
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Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

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Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2025

A Proximal Culture Method to Study Paracrine Signaling Between Cells
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A Proximal Culture Method to Study Paracrine Signaling Between Cells

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Cytokines in cancer.

Courtney T Kureshi1, Stephanie K Dougan1

  • 1Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Program in Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Cancer Cell
|December 13, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Cytokines are key immune communicators in the tumor microenvironment. While some cytokines fight tumors, others promote cancer, making targeted therapies challenging but promising.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cytokines are signaling proteins crucial for immune cell communication.
  • Their effects are context-dependent, influencing both anti-tumor immunity and oncogenesis.
  • The tumor microenvironment is a complex ecosystem where cytokines play diverse roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of cytokine functions within the tumor microenvironment.
  • To highlight the challenges and progress in therapeutically targeting cytokine pathways in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on cytokine networks in cancer.
  • Analysis of the dual roles of specific cytokines (e.g., interferon-gamma, innate inflammatory cytokines).
  • Discussion of therapeutic strategies including cytokine blockade and engineered cytokines.
Keywords:
IFN-αIFN-γIL-2JAKTGF-βTNF-αchemokinecytokineinterferoninterleukin

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A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion
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Main Results:

  • Cytokine networks exhibit pleiotropic effects, with outcomes varying by cell type and environment.
  • Interferon-gamma is linked to anti-tumor immunity, whereas innate inflammatory cytokines can promote oncogenesis.
  • Therapeutic targeting of cytokines in cancer remains a significant challenge.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding cytokine roles in the tumor microenvironment is critical for cancer therapy.
  • Cytokine blockade, cytokine-based therapies, and engineered cytokines represent emerging therapeutic avenues.
  • Further research is needed to overcome challenges in effectively targeting cytokine pathways for cancer treatment.