Molecular Basis of Cancer

Cancer refers to a disease characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissues. The incidence of cancer is influenced by many factors such as age, gender, race, environmental and lifestyle factors. The genes namely, proto-oncogenes, TSGs,regulate apoptosis and DNA repair genes, that control the cell cycle checkpoint are associated with cancer. Upon identification of the defective gene, the normal version of the gene can be introduced by means of a vector and the process is called gene therapy. The current cancer research focusses on the agents responsible for genetic changes, precise genetic damage, and the consequences of these damages .With better selection of appropriate patients, enhanced biological research and use of throughput technologies, gene therapy is expected to be fast, effective, less toxic and inexpensive with higher cure rates.