Gene duplication can have profound implications in the context of cancer. The additional copies of a gene can lead to overexpression, which might disrupt normal cellular processes. For instance, the duplication of oncogenes, which promote cell division and survival, can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation—a hallmark of cancer. Alternatively, the duplication of genes that regulate apoptosis (programmed cell death) can prevent the normal elimination of damaged cells, contributing to tumor formation and growth.
