Cancer cells exhibit several hallmark behaviors that differentiate them from normal cells:
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Sustained Proliferative Signaling: Cancer cells can continuously signal themselves to divide, often through mutations in growth factor receptors like
EGFR.
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Evading Growth Suppressors: They can disable tumor suppressor genes such as
p53, which normally control cell division and apoptosis.
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Resisting Cell Death: Cancer cells can evade apoptosis, allowing abnormal cells to survive longer than they should.
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Enabling Replicative Immortality: They often activate
telomerase, an enzyme that extends telomeres, allowing cells to divide indefinitely.
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Inducing Angiogenesis: Cancer cells can stimulate the formation of new blood vessels to supply nutrients and oxygen, facilitating further growth.
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Activating Invasion and Metastasis: Cancer cells can invade neighboring tissues and spread to distant organs, forming secondary tumors.
