Ch. 19 - The Genetics of Cancer

Klug - Essentials of Genetics 10th Edition

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Klug 10th Edition

Ch. 19 - The Genetics of Cancer

Problem 23

Chapter 19, Problem 23

What is the cancer stem cell hypothesis?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that the cancer stem cell hypothesis is a concept in cancer biology proposing that within a tumor, there exists a subset of cells with stem cell-like properties.

Recognize that these cancer stem cells have the ability to self-renew, meaning they can divide and produce more stem cells, and also differentiate into the various cell types that make up the tumor.

Note that according to this hypothesis, cancer stem cells are responsible for sustaining tumor growth and may contribute to cancer recurrence and resistance to treatment.

Contrast this with the traditional view where all cancer cells are considered equally capable of driving tumor growth, highlighting the unique role of cancer stem cells in tumor hierarchy.

Summarize that the cancer stem cell hypothesis suggests targeting these specific cells could be crucial for effective cancer therapies, as eliminating them might prevent tumor regrowth.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cancer Stem Cells

Cancer stem cells are a small subset of cells within a tumor that possess the ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types found in the cancer. They are thought to drive tumor growth, metastasis, and recurrence due to their stem-like properties.

Cancer Stem Cell Hypothesis

The cancer stem cell hypothesis proposes that tumors are hierarchically organized and sustained by cancer stem cells, which are responsible for initiating and maintaining the cancer. This contrasts with the idea that all tumor cells have equal tumorigenic potential.

Implications for Cancer Treatment

Understanding the cancer stem cell hypothesis impacts treatment strategies, as therapies targeting only bulk tumor cells may fail to eliminate cancer stem cells, leading to relapse. Effective treatments must target these stem-like cells to achieve lasting remission.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

How do normal cells protect themselves from accumulating mutations in genes that could lead to cancer? How do cancer cells differ from normal cells in these processes?

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Textbook Question

Radiotherapy (treatment with ionizing radiation) is one of the most effective current cancer treatments. It works by damaging DNA and other cellular components. In which ways could radiotherapy control or cure cancer, and why does radiotherapy often have significant side effects?

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Textbook Question

Genetic tests that detect mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor-suppressor genes are widely available. These tests reveal a number of mutations in these genes—mutations that have been linked to familial breast cancer. Assume that a young woman in a suspected breast cancer family takes the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic tests and receives negative results. That is, she does not test positive for the mutant alleles of BRCA1 or BRCA2. Can she consider herself free of risk for breast cancer?

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Textbook Question

As part of a cancer research project, you have discovered a gene that is mutated in many metastatic tumors. After determining the DNA sequence of this gene, you compare the sequence with those of other genes in the human genome sequence database. Your gene appears to code for an amino acid sequence that resembles sequences found in some serine proteases. Conjecture how your new gene might contribute to the development of highly invasive cancers.

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Textbook Question

A study by Bose and colleagues (1998). Blood 92:3362-3367] and a previous study by Biernaux and others (1996). Bone Marrow Transplant 17:(Suppl. 3) S45–S47] showed that BCR-ABL fusion gene transcripts can be detected in 25 to 30 percent of healthy adults who do not develop chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Explain how these individuals can carry a fusion gene that is transcriptionally active and yet does not develop CML.

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Textbook Question

Those who inherit a mutant allele of the RB1 tumor-suppressor gene are at risk for developing a bone cancer called osteosarcoma. You suspect that in these cases, osteosarcoma requires a mutation in the second RB1 allele, and you have cultured some osteosarcoma cells and obtained a cDNA clone of a normal human RB1 gene. A colleague sends you a research paper revealing that a strain of cancer-prone mice develops malignant tumors when injected with osteosarcoma cells, and you obtain these mice. Using these three resources, what experiments would you perform to determine:

(a) Whether osteosarcoma cells carry two RB1 mutations

(b) Whether osteosarcoma cells produce any pRB protein

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