Hallmarks of Cancer
*Telomerase re-elongates telomeres that would otherwise shorten with each division, granting cancer cells replicative immortality — one of the core hallmarks of cancer.*
Hallmarks of Cancer
- Fundamental biological capabilities acquired during tumour development:
- Self-sufficiency in growth signals → oncogene activation (e.g. RAS, MYC)
- Insensitivity to growth-inhibitory signals → tumour suppressor loss (e.g. RB, TP53)
- Evasion of apoptosis → BCL-2 overexpression; TP53 loss
- Limitless replicative potential → telomerase reactivation
Read this in Genetic Disorders Pathology Crash Course: Exam Revision Notes
What our notes say
- *Telomerase re-elongates telomeres that would otherwise shorten with each division, granting cancer cells replicative immortality — one of the core hallmarks of cancer.* (General Pathology MCQs: Cancer, Tumors & Molecular Path Review)
- *Specific Mendelian Disorders, Hallmarks of Cancer, Oncogenes & Tumour Suppressors, Metastasis, Host Response, Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Gene Therapy, Mitochondrial & Non-Mendelian Disorders* (Genetic Disorders Pathology Crash Course: Exam Revision Notes)
- Hallmarks of cancer (Hanahan & Weinberg) — just know these: (Introduction to Oncology: History, Genetics & Immuno-oncology)
- Key characteristics of cancer cells (Hallmarks of Cancer — Hanahan & Weinberg): (Cancer Pharmacology: Cell Cycle, Oncogenes & Drug Targets)
- Comprehensive coverage: Molecular Basis of Cancer, Hallmarks of Cancer, and Carcinogenesis (ONCOPATHOLOGY - 30 KEY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS Hallmarks 1,2 & 3)
Study material on Hallmarks of Cancer
- Hallmarks of Cancer: Molecular Basis, Cell Cycle & Oncogenes
- ONCOPATHOLOGY MCQ EXAMINATION HAllmarks of Cancer 1,2 &3
- ONCOPATHOLOGY MCQs - HALLMARKS OF CANCER
- Oncopathology Hallmarks of Cancer MCQs
Practice questions on Hallmarks of Cancer
A researcher finds that tumor cells produce the same growth factor for which they express receptors. This exemplifies which hallmark of cancer?
- Insensitivity to growth inhibitory signals
- Evasion of apoptosis
- Self-sufficiency in growth signals
- Limitless replicative potential
Answer: C. Autocrine signaling (producing growth factors for one's own receptors) is a classic mechanism of self-sufficiency in growth signals, eliminating dependence on external growth factors. ---
A tumour showing MYC amplification, VEGF overexpression, and p53 loss demonstrates which combination of hallmarks? MYC → growth signal independence; p53 loss → apoptosis resistance; VEGF → angiogenesis. Three separate hallmarks of cancer together. ---
- Only angiogenesis
- Self-sufficiency in growth + resistance to death + angiogenesis
- Invasion and metastasis only
- Genome instability alone
- Warburg effect only
Answer: B.