The Cancer Biology portion of the site contains in-depth information about the structure and function of normal cells and cancer cells. The changes that make normal cells turn into cancer cells are described. Topics covered include:
Biological Building Blocks – Information on the molecules that are found in living things. Includes proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.
Cell Structure – Discusses the functional parts of cells called organelles. Organelles covered include the nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria and the cytoskeleton
Cell Division – Covers the control of normal cell division and the problems found in cancer cells.
Gene Function – Discusses the way genetic information is used in cells.
Mutation – Describes the types and causes of changes to genes (mutations) that can result in cancer.
Cancer Genes – Describes the types of genes (oncogenes and tumor suppressors) that are altered in cancer. Some key examples are given for each type of gene. Contains a section on microRNAs (miRNAs) and their role in cancer.
Cancer Formation – Includes details about the causes of cancer, including chemicals, radiation and viruses
Angiogenesis – Animations and text describe how tumors develop a blood supply. Includes discussions of drugs that fight cancer by blocking the process.
Metastasis – The majority of cancer deaths are caused by spread of the disease from its orginal location. This section covers the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of cancer spread. Also covered are attempts to interefere with the process in cancer patients.
Tumor-Host Interactions – There are many interactions between different cells in a tumor. This section covers some of the key cell types and the ways that they influence the growth of a tumor.
The Immune System – The immune system is involved in guarding our bodies from internal and external threats, including cancer. Because of the important role of immune cells in preventing and possibly contributing to cancer, as well as the use of immune cells and products in treating cancer, the subject is treated here in detail.
Cancer in Animals – Animals other than humans get cancer and this section examines a few types of cancer in domesticated and wild animals.
[“source -cncb”]