Journal of Carcinogenesis & Mutagenesis

The Significance of Tumour Suppressor Genes in Cancer Treatment

Eulade Rugengamazi^* Department of Clinical Oncology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
^*Correspondence: Eulade Rugengamazi, Department of Clinical Oncology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Email:

Received: 02-Oct-2023, Manuscript No. JCM-23-23756; Editor assigned: 04-Oct-2023, Pre QC No. JCM-23-23756 (PQ; Reviewed: 18-Oct-2023, QC No. JCM-23-23756; Revised: 25-Oct-2023, Manuscript No. JCM-23-23756 (R); Published: 03-Nov-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2157-2518.2.14.434

Description

Inside the complex landscape of the human genome, there exist quiet protectors that safeguard our cells from the chaos of uncontrolled growth. protectors, known as tumor suppressor genes, play an necessary role in maintaining genetic stability and preventing the development of cancer.

Tumor suppressor genes act as vigilant sentinels within our cells, ensuring that normal cellular processes occur without any problem. Their primary function is to inhibit the excessive proliferation of cells, ensuring that they divide and replicate in a controlled and orderly manner. In essence, tumor suppressor genes help prevent the formation of tumors or cancerous growths.

One of the key mechanisms through which tumor suppressor genes operate is by encoding proteins that regulate the cell cycle. The cell cycle is a precisely orchestrated sequence of events that governs cell growth, division, and replication. Tumor suppressor proteins act as stop signals, ensuring that cell division occurs only when necessary and that errors in the DNA are repaired before the cell proceeds to the next stage.

In the absence of a functional tumor suppressor gene, the cell cycle can go awry, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and the accumulation of mutations. This unchecked proliferation of cells is a hallmark of cancer. When a tumor suppressor gene is mutated or deactivated, it can no longer perform its role effectively, allowing cells to divide rapidly and accumulate genetic errors, eventually leading to the formation of tumors.

One well-known tumor suppressor gene is TP53, also known as p53. P53 plays a critical role in preventing the formation of cancer by halting the cell cycle when DNA damage is detected. This pause allows the cell to repair the damage before resuming normal division. Mutations in the TP53 gene can disable this crucial function, making it one of the most commonly mutated genes in various types of cancer.

Another tumor suppressor gene is BRCA1, associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer when mutated. BRCA1 is involved in repairing DNA damage and maintaining genomic stability. Mutations in BRCA1 can result in impaired DNA repair, raising the risk of cancer development.

Furthermore, tumor suppressor genes also play a role in apoptosis, or programmed cell death. When a cell sustains significant DNA damage or mutations that cannot be repaired, tumor suppressor genes can initiate a process leading to cell death. This ensures that damaged cells are removed from the body before they can transform into cancer cells.

The loss of function of tumor suppressor genes through mutations can have profound consequences. It allows cells to escape the normal regulatory processes that prevent uncontrolled growth. This escape from control is a critical step in the development of cancer. Therefore, mutations in tumor suppressor genes are often considered a key event in the progression of many cancers.

In conclusion, tumor suppressor genes serve as the silent guardians of our genetic stability. Their role in maintaining the integrity of our DNA and preventing uncontrolled cell growth is paramount in the fight against cancer. The study of these genes continues to shed light on the underlying mechanisms of cancer, offering hope for more effective treatments and therapies in the future.