Cancer is a disease that arises from the uncontrolled growth of cells due to
genetic mutations and epigenetic changes. Molecular biology has provided valuable
insights into cancer development and progression mechanisms. Cancer cells have
alterations in the genes that regulate cell growth, division, and death, leading to the
accumulation of mutations that confer a survival advantage. Oncogenes promote cell
growth and division, while tumour suppressor genes inhibit cell proliferation and
induce cell death. Alterations in these genes and changes in DNA methylation and
histone modifications lead to the dysregulation of cell signalling pathways, which
contribute to cancer development. In addition, the tumour microenvironment plays a
critical role in cancer progression by providing growth factors, cytokines, and
extracellular matrix components that promote tumour growth and invasion. Molecular
biology techniques such as DNA sequencing, gene expression profiling, and epigenetic
analysis have facilitated the identification of driver mutations and key molecular
pathways involved in cancer development, leading to targeted therapies that exploit
these vulnerabilities. Understanding the molecular basis of cancer can revolutionize
cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Keywords: Biomarkers, Cell growth, Cell signalling pathways, DNA methylation, Epigenetics, Genetic mutations, Gene expression profiling, Histone modifications, Oncogenes, Tumor suppressor genes, Targeted therapies.