What are the characteristics of a cancer cell
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Characteristics of Cancer Cells
Genetic and Biochemical Alterations in Cancer Cells
Cancer cells exhibit significant genetic and biochemical deviations from normal cells. These alterations often originate from failures in the normal biochemical control of DNA and RNA formation, leading to changes in cellular metabolism and function. This disruption in genetic regulation is a fundamental characteristic that drives the transformation of normal cells into malignant ones.
Physical Traits of Cancer Cells
Cancer cells are distinguished by several physical traits that contribute to their malignancy. These include elevated solid stress, increased interstitial fluid pressure, enhanced tissue stiffness, and altered tissue microarchitecture. Elevated solid stress results from the proliferative and migratory behavior of cancer cells, which compresses surrounding tissues and impairs blood flow. Increased interstitial fluid pressure is due to abnormal blood vessel permeability and insufficient lymphatic drainage, leading to edema and facilitating metastasis. Enhanced tissue stiffness, often used as a diagnostic marker, promotes cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness. Altered tissue microarchitecture disrupts normal cell-matrix interactions, further aiding in cancer progression.
Hallmarks of Cancer
The hallmarks of cancer, as synthesized by Hanahan and Weinberg, provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex nature of cancer cells. These hallmarks include sustained proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppressors, resistance to cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and activating invasion and metastasis. These characteristics are not uniformly present in all cancer cells but represent a network of interrelated traits that vary among different cells and at different times within the same tumor.
Cancer Stem Cells
A subset of cancer cells, known as cancer stem cells, plays a crucial role in sustaining tumor growth and progression. These cells possess the ability to self-renew and differentiate, similar to normal stem cells. Cancer stem cells are identified by specific biomarkers and are thought to originate from either normal stem cells or through a process of de-differentiation. They lack functional gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), which is essential for normal cell growth control and differentiation .
Metabolic Reprogramming
Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to support their rapid proliferation and survival under stress conditions. This reprogramming involves alterations in metabolic enzyme activities and subcellular localization, enabling cancer cells to efficiently manage energy production, redox balance, and biosynthesis. These metabolic changes are critical for maintaining the high proliferative rate and adaptability of cancer cells.
Cytoskeletal Dynamics and Cell Motility
The cytoskeleton of cancer cells undergoes dynamic changes that are essential for cell motility, invasion, and metastasis. These changes are regulated by signaling pathways involving small GTPases and their effectors, such as p21-activated kinases (Paks). Paks play a significant role in cytoskeletal dynamics, cell survival, mitosis, and transcription, and are often overexpressed or hyperactivated in various tumors.
Immune Cell Infiltration
The tumor microenvironment, including immune cell infiltration, significantly influences cancer progression and patient prognosis. The presence and type of immune cells within the tumor can either promote or inhibit cancer growth. For instance, high immune cell infiltration is associated with better prognosis in some cancers, such as lung adenocarcinoma, while in others, it may indicate a worse outcome.
Conclusion
Cancer cells are characterized by a complex interplay of genetic, biochemical, physical, and metabolic alterations. These changes enable them to proliferate uncontrollably, evade normal regulatory mechanisms, and invade surrounding tissues. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for developing targeted therapies and improving treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
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