Abstract

THE CELL CYCLE, CYCLINS, CHECKPOINTS AND CANCER

Farha Fatma* and Anil Kumar

ABSTRACT

Cancer is a serious problem affecting the health of human and isone of the leading cause of mortality worldwide. A normal cell undergoes regulated cell division, differentiation and apoptosis (programmed cell death). When normal cell has lost the usual control over their division, differentiation and apoptosis they become tumor cells. Cancer arises mainly from mutations in somatic cells. Maintenance of genomic integrity is a pre-requisite for a safe and long lasting life. For this purpose, cell has quality control points, referred as checkpoints. The different mechanisms and multiple researchers involved in the field necessiatean understanding of the molecular mechanism to classify tumor and to assess the risk and treatment of disease. Certain therapeutic strategies exist and many more need to be explored. Different experimental therapies are currently in clinical trials and are raising hopes that a new class of anti-cancer drug may soon be available.

Keywords: Cancer, apoptosis, cyclins, gene mutation, checkpoints.