Because the degree of DNA methylation appears to be a relatively reliable geneti

Question

Because the degree of DNA methylation appears to be a relatively reliable genetic marker for some forms of cancer, researchers have explored the possibility of altering DNA methylation as a form of cancer therapy. Initial studies indicate that while hypomethylation suppresses the formation of some tumors, other tumors thrive. Why would one expect different cancers to respond differently to either hypomethylation or hypermethylation therapies?

Hypomethylation or hypermethylation therapies affect both cancer cells and surrounding tissues, causing normal tissues to become cancerous.

Each of these therapies depends on an organ-specific environment, resulting in cancers in different environments responding differently.

Despite how these therapies alter cancer cells, some tumors can change during therapy which allow them to adapt to the treatment and thrive from it.

Since there are multiple routes that lead to cancer, one would expect complex regulatory systems to be involved.

Hypomethylation or hypermethylation therapies affect both cancer cells and surrounding tissues, causing normal tissues to become cancerous.

Each of these therapies depends on an organ-specific environment, resulting in cancers in different environments responding differently.

Despite how these therapies alter cancer cells, some tumors can change during therapy which allow them to adapt to the treatment and thrive from it.

Since there are multiple routes that lead to cancer, one would expect complex regulatory systems to be involved.

Explanation / Answer

Since there are multiple routes that lead to cancer, one would expect complex regulatory systems to be involved.

Cancer develops from accumulation of several mutations over time. The mutations may lie in different genes. There are different kinds of genes that regulate cancers. Proto-oncogenes can become oncogenes if mutated. The same way, tumor suppressor genes slow down cell division, and can cause cancers if mutated. While tumor suppressor genes must be expressed nromally, oncogenes should not. Therefore, different regulatory systems are involved in regulation of different types of genes. Hypomethylation of tumor suppresor genes or hypermethylation of proto-oncogenes leads to cancer. Many cancerous cells are found to have both hypo and hypermethylated.

Therefore, depending on the type of gene, hyper or hypo mutations may iether increase the expression of an oncogene or reduce the expression of a tumor-suppressor gene, and vice versa.

Since there are multiple routes that lead to cancer, one would expect complex regulatory systems to be involved.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse B
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.