12th International Cancer, Oncology and Therapy Conference
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The journey of understanding cancer has shifted dramatically over recent decades. What once
seemed like a random collection of disease processes is now increasingly
understood through the lens of genetics. At its core, cancer is often a story
of DNA—how mutations arise, how genetic variation plays out, and how our
cellular mechanisms go awry. In this blog, we delve into how genetics drives cancer’s
story, the major mechanisms at play, and why this matters for research,
treatment, and ultimately, patient care.
Cancer genetics refers to the study of mutations, inherited or acquired, in the DNA of cells
that contribute to cancer initiation, progression, and response to therapy.
These mutations can affect oncogenes (genes that when activated promote cell
growth) or tumor suppressor genes (genes that when inactivated remove the
“brakes” on cell growth). Understanding this genetic circuitry is critical to
decoding how cancers start and evolve.
At the heart of the genetic puzzle are mutations — changes in the DNA sequence. These can be:
§ Inherited
(germline) mutations: Passed down through families and can predispose
individuals to certain cancers (e.g., BRCA1/2 in breast & ovarian cancer).
§ Acquired (somatic) mutations: Occur during
life in particular cells and drive cancer development.
§ Other processes
include gene amplification, chromosomal rearrangements, epigenetic changes, and
loss of heterozygosity.
When mutations disrupt normal cell regulation, cells can grow uncontrollably, avoid
apoptosis (cell death), and invade other tissues — hallmarks of cancer.
The process of a normal cell becoming a malignant one is complex and multi-step. Key stages
include:
1. Initiation – A mutation arises in
a gene that controls cell growth or survival.
2. Promotion – That mutated cell
expands, influenced by additional hits or changes (e.g., further mutations,
microenvironment changes).
3. Progression – The tumour evolves,
accumulates more mutations, becomes heterogeneous, gains invasiveness and
metastatic potential.
4. Metastasis &
Resistance – Genetic changes enable spread to distant organs and
resistance to therapies.
By tracing the genetic evolution of a tumour, researchers can identify which pathways are
involved and how to target them.
One of the most exciting outcomes of unraveling cancer genetics is the development of
precision medicine — treatments tailored to the specific genetic makeup of a
patient’s tumour. Some examples:
§ Targeted
therapies (e.g., drugs that inhibit mutated proteins).
§ Immunotherapy,
influenced by tumour mutation burden and neo-antigens.
§ Genetic testing
to determine which patients will respond to which therapies.
§ Monitoring tumour
genetics over time (liquid biopsies) to adjust treatment as tumours evolve.
Advances in sequencing technology, bioinformatics, and translational research have made
these approaches more accessible.
Despite progress, challenges remain. Some of these include:
§ Tumour
heterogeneity: even within one tumour, different cells may have different
mutations.
§ Resistance:
tumours often evolve under treatment pressure and develop new mutations.
§ Access and cost:
genetic testing and targeted therapies are not equally available worldwide.
§ Ethical
considerations: implications of germline testing for families.
§ Integrating
multi-omics: combining genetics with epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics
for a fuller picture.
Looking ahead, future directions include using artificial intelligence to interpret
genomic data, integrating lifestyle and environmental factors with genetic
risk, and focusing on early detection based on genetic signals.
Cracking the genetic puzzle of cancer has transformed our understanding of what was once a
nebulous disease into a mapped set of processes shaped by DNA. From mutations
and pathways of transformation to tailored treatments and evolving research frontiers,
genetics stands at the core of modern oncology. As we continue to decode how
DNA drives cancer’s story, we move closer to more effective, individualized
care—and ultimately, better outcomes for patients around the globe. The journey
is far from over, but the genetic roadmap offers hope and direction.
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