Over the past 25 years, knowledge of the genetic-molecular mechanisms involved in the genesis and progression of cancer have helped to obtain new diagnostic and follow up methods that have drastically redirected the therapeutics used in patients with neoplasia. Some molecular markers are already being routinely used and should provide sensitive and specific tests for early diagnosis, staging and follow up of cancer patients. The molecular characteristics of each tumor should help in predicting its behavior and outlining more effective therapeutic strategies. We have used a didactic manner of presenting the main mechanisms that control the growth and cellular cycle, defined the importance of erroneously activated oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that are lost or non-functioning, genes involved in programming and maintaining cell life as well as other genes that participate in the tumorigenic process. The mechanisms of tumor progression, invasion and metastasis are reviewed placing an emphasis on the practical application of the knowledge related to these mechanisms. The role of genetic instability and epigenetic changes in the definition of cancer phenotype have been underscored, suggesting the application of molecular genetics in the gene therapy of cancer.
Cancer; Cell cycle; Genes; Molecular
