Tumor suppressor genes in urologic tumors.
During the last decade remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of the malignant phenotype. There is evidence that a series of genetic changes are involved in the conversion of a normal cell to a malignant one. These changes have been directly identified with mutations in various genes usually involved in cell growth and proliferation. Two main classes of genes have been characterized: oncogenes, which promote growth and tumor suppressor genes, which restrain growth. While oncogenes have been studied in relative detail, little is known about tumor suppressor genes. However recent studies revealed that loss of tumor suppressor genes are a common mechanism for the progression of cancer and are of prognostic value. In this review we focus on the role of these tumor suppressor genes in urologic tumors in experimental as well as clinical studies.
Wolff
J M
JM
University Department of Surgery (WGH), Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Habib
F K
FK
D016161:Genes, Retinoblastoma / Q000235:genetics*; D016162:Genes, Wilms Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*