What Role Do Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes Play?
Cancer is often driven by mutations in two types of genes: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Oncogenes are mutated forms of normal genes (proto-oncogenes) that promote cell growth and division. When these genes are mutated, they can become permanently activated, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Tumor suppressor genes, on the other hand, normally function to inhibit cell growth and promote apoptosis. Mutations in these genes can result in the loss of their inhibitory effects, further contributing to cancer development.
