Cancer is a complex disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division. The biochemistry of cancer involves alterations in cellular pathways that control cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The normal regulation of cell growth and division is disrupted in cancer cells, leading to the formation of tumors and the potential for metastasis.
The molecular basis of cancer involves a combination of genetic and epigenetic alterations that lead to the activation of oncogenes and the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Oncogenes are genes that promote cell growth and division, while tumor suppressor genes inhibit cell growth and division. Mutations in these genes can result in the development of cancer.
One of the hallmarks of cancer is sustained angiogenesis, which is the process by which tumors develop a blood supply to support their growth and survival. This process involves the secretion of angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promote the growth of new blood vessels into the tumor. Targeting angiogenesis has become an important strategy in the treatment of cancer.
Another hallmark of cancer is the ability of cancer cells to evade apoptosis, which is the normal process of programmed cell death that occurs in response to cellular stress or damage. Apoptosis is regulated by a complex network of proteins, including the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins, which control the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria and activation of caspases, a family of proteases that execute the apoptotic program. Dysregulation of the apoptotic pathway can result in the survival of cancer cells and resistance to chemotherapy.
The Warburg effect is a metabolic shift observed in many cancer cells, in which glucose is metabolized through glycolysis, even in the presence of oxygen. This leads to an increase in lactate production and a decrease in oxidative phosphorylation. The exact mechanism underlying the Warburg effect is not fully understood, but it is thought to be a result of alterations in signaling pathways that regulate cellular metabolism.
Cancer cells also exhibit increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are generated as a byproduct of cellular metabolism. ROS can cause oxidative damage to cellular components, including DNA, proteins, and lipids. To counteract this damage, cancer cells have increased levels of antioxidants, such as glutathione, which can neutralize ROS and protect the cell from oxidative stress.
Targeting the biochemistry of cancer has become an important strategy in the development of cancer therapeutics. Many of the current cancer drugs target specific pathways that are dysregulated in cancer cells, such as angiogenesis, apoptosis, and metabolism. Understanding the underlying biochemistry of cancer is critical for the development of effective cancer treatments.