Cuestionario: Cancer Biology Essentials — 10 preguntas

1. What are the 'Hallmarks of Cancer' as described in cancer biology?

A. They are the external environmental factors that cause cancer in humans.

B. They are the biological capabilities that cancer cells acquire during tumor development, enabling growth, survival, and spread.

C. They are the genetic mutations that occur exclusively in healthy cells.

D. They are the symptoms experienced by patients with cancer, such as pain and fatigue.

Answer: (B)

Explicación

The 'Hallmarks of Cancer' refer to the fundamental biological capabilities that cancer cells acquire during tumor development, such as sustained proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, and metastasis. These traits enable cancer cells to grow uncontrollably, survive despite stress, and spread to other parts of the body. This concept was first proposed by Hanahan and Weinberg to describe the key features that distinguish cancer cells from normal cells.

2. Who were the scientists that initially proposed the six hallmarks of cancer?

A. Hanahan and Weinberg

B. Smith and Johnson

C. Gartner and Lee

D. Kumar and Clark

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Hanahan and Weinberg introduced the original six hallmarks of cancer, defining key traits that enable cancer progression, making them foundational figures in cancer biology.

3. Which gene is most commonly associated with cell cycle regulation dysregulation in cancer?

A. TP53

B. KRAS

C. MYC

D. CDK4/6

Answer: (A)

Explicación

TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene that plays a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle, particularly at the G1/S checkpoint, and is frequently mutated in various cancers, leading to cell cycle dysregulation. Mutations in TP53 impair its ability to induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage, contributing to uncontrolled cell proliferation. While KRAS, MYC, and CDK4/6 are also involved in cell proliferation pathways, TP53 is most directly and commonly associated with cell cycle regulation dysregulation in cancer.

4. What is the role of telomerase activation in enabling replicative immortality in cancer cells?

A. It shortens telomeres, leading to cell death.

B. It maintains telomere length, allowing indefinite division.

C. It disables tumor suppressor genes.

D. It stimulates angiogenesis in tumors.

Answer: (B)

Explicación

Telomerase activation maintains telomere length, preventing cellular aging and allowing cancer cells to divide indefinitely, which is essential for tumor growth.

5. What is the primary role of classifying different cancer types such as carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, and lymphoma?

A. To identify the tissue of origin and guide treatment decisions

B. To estimate the patient's survival time without treatment

C. To determine the patient's age at diagnosis

D. To classify tumors based on their genetic mutations

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Classifying cancer types based on their tissue of origin, such as carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, and lymphoma, primarily helps in identifying the origin of the tumor and guiding appropriate diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies. This classification is essential for selecting targeted therapies and understanding the tumor's behavior.

6. Which hallmark involves the formation of new blood vessels to supply nutrients to tumors?

A. Inducing angiogenesis

B. Resisting cell death

C. Evading growth suppressors

D. Activating invasion and metastasis

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Inducing angiogenesis enables tumors to develop new blood vessels, crucial for supplying oxygen and nutrients necessary for tumor expansion.

7. According to the revised understanding of cancer hallmarks, which trait involves tumor-promoting inflammation?

A. Reprogramming energy metabolism

B. Evasion of immune destruction

C. Genome instability/mutation

D. Activating invasion and metastasis

Answer: (B)

Explicación

Reprogramming energy metabolism, including evading immune destruction, encompasses mechanisms like inflammation that promote tumor progression.

8. What processes are primarily disrupted during cell cycle dysregulation in cancer?

A. Ordered progression through G1, S, G2, and M phases

B. Controlled cell division and differentiation

C. Proper DNA repair mechanisms

D. All of the above except the first

Answer: (D)

Explicación

Cell cycle dysregulation in cancer involves disruptions in the ordered progression and regulation of cell division, affecting multiple phases and mechanisms.

9. Which of the following is NOT considered a current treatment modality targeting cancer hallmarks?

A. Angiogenesis inhibitors

B. Immune checkpoint inhibitors

C. Chemotherapy targeting DNA replication

D. Antiviral medications

Answer: (D)

Explicación

Antiviral medications are not direct treatments targeting cancer hallmarks; instead, therapies like angiogenesis inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors are designed to disrupt specific hallmarks of cancer.

10. Who is a notable figure associated with the expansion of the original six hallmarks of cancer to include reprogramming energy metabolism and immune evasion?

A. Hanahan and Weinberg

B. Kholer and Sharma

C. Gartner and Lee

D. Kumar and Clark

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Hanahan and Weinberg expanded the original hallmarks to encompass additional traits like metabolic reprogramming and immune evasion, reflecting advances in understanding cancer biology.