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Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

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Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes in Human Malignancies

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 63))

Abstract

Cancer-associated genes generally can be divided into ‘dominant’ acting protooncogenes/oncogenes and ‘recessive’ tumor suppressor genes. Most simply defined, protooncogenes are identified by a gain of function as mutational damage occurs, whereas tumor suppressor genes contribute to cancer by a loss of function. However, the pace of science leads us to believe that these categories are arbitrary and, perhaps, functionally incorrect as the oncogenes are found to interact with tumor suppressor genes. Nevertheless, because the details of the interaction are, to date, still unclear, the current nosology of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes will be used for the sake of convenience. The ever increasing numbers of protooncogenes and tumor suppressor genes discovered and their complex interactions suggest that the challenge for cancer researchers lies in deciphering the intricate genetic mosaic that characterizes cancer. This chapter will serve as an overview for both types of cancer-associated genes and will include specific examples that highlight important concepts in the field.

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Authors
  1. Edison Liu
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  2. Bernard Weissman
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, USA

    Christopher C. Benz

  2. Lineberger Cancer Research Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA

    Edison T. Liu

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© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Liu, E., Weissman, B. (1993). Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In: Benz, C.C., Liu, E.T. (eds) Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes in Human Malignancies. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 63. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3088-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3088-6_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6349-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-3088-6

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