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Related Concept Videos

Cancer02:18

Cancer

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Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
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Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

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The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
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Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

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Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
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Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

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Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
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Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

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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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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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Germline Mutations as Cancer Drug Targets.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Universal germline testing for all cancer patients is now feasible due to cost-effectiveness and novel therapies targeting germline mutations. This approach expands access to effective cancer treatments.

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hereditary cancer syndromes are linked to specific pathogenic variants.
  • Germline variants are increasingly recognized as actionable targets across tumor types.
  • Advances in drug development offer new therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current landscape of germline mutations as cancer drug targets.
  • To compare available clinical diagnostics for germline testing.
  • To discuss promising antitumor agents and the future of universal germline testing.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on germline mutations, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
  • Analysis of drug development advances in synthetic lethality, immunotherapy, and vaccines.
  • Evaluation of the feasibility and impact of universal germline testing.

Main Results:

  • Therapeutic advances demonstrate the actionability of germline variants.
  • Epidemiologic studies show germline variants across diverse tumor types.
  • Multiple novel agents targeting germline alterations have received regulatory approval.

Conclusions:

  • Universal germline testing is becoming feasible and essential for personalized cancer medicine.
  • Cost-effective high-throughput testing facilitates broader access to targeted therapies.
  • Germline alterations represent a growing portfolio of therapeutically actionable targets.