Cancer Cell Characteristics and Energetics

Study Notes

Cancer cells are self-sufficient in growth signals, they synthesize their own growth factors.
Anti-apoptotic mediators are upregulated in cancer cells
They reduce contact inhibition, which is downregulated by molecules like TGF-β and E-cadherin.
Cancer cells evade apoptosis by overexpressing Bcl-2 and downregulating Bax and Bak.
p53 mutation is often found in cancer cells to prevent apoptosis
Cancer cells have limitless replicative potential due to telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activation.
VEGF plays a role in angiogenesis in cancer.
Cancer cells exhibit "immortality" due to overactivation of telomerase.
Cancer cells invade tissues by secreting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Cancer cells primarily use glycolysis for energy production, even in the presence of oxygen (Warburg effect).
Cancer cells enhance their anabolic processes and have elevated nutrient uptake and rapid growth.
Lipid Oxidation and protein synthesis are upregulated in cancer cells for rapid growth.
The metabolic byproduct of cancer cells in aerobic conditions is lactate.

Chronic inflammation is a major consequence of uncontrolled inflammation in cancer progression.
Cancer cells stimulate angiogenesis in response to chronic inflammation.
Cancer cells often evade the immune response through inflammation.
Cancer cells are often supported by an immune-suppressive microenvironment.

M1 macrophages play a role in promoting inflammation in tumors
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment suppress the immune system.
Myeloid cells' role in early tumor elimination involves initiating an anti-tumoral response.
Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells directly kill tumor cells.
ROS induces DNA damage supporting tumor growth, affecting cell division.

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key feature of cancer, characterized by loss of cell adhesion and increased motility.
Major structural proteins in the ECM are collagen.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) break down components in the ECM to allow tumor cell invasion.
Extracellular Matrix (ECM) components like integrins and fibronectin regulate cellular communication within cancer.
EMT in cancer prepares cells for metastasis through mechanisms like extravasion.