Biological consequences of the genetic changes which occur during human colorectal carcinogenesis
Williams, A.C.; Browne, S.J.; Manning, A.M.; Hague, A.; van der Stappen, J.W.; Paraskeva, C.
Seminars in Cancer Biology 4(3): 153-159
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 1044-579X PMID: 8318691 Document Number: 416568
Colorectal carcinogenesis is a complex multistage process and occurs through the accumulation of gene mutations in both oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. Frequent genetic abnormalities include mutation of the familial adenomatous polyposis (APC) and/or the mutated in colorectal cancer (MCC) genes on chromosome 5q21, activation of K-ras and loss of the tumour suppressor genes p53 and DCC (deleted in colorectal cancer). In our laboratory we have developed human in vitro colonic cell culture model systems, to determine the biological consequences of these well characterised genetic changes, and how such changes can uncouple proliferation from differentiation and ultimately lead to the malignant phenotype.