Human Genetics and Genetic Diseases

Oncogenomics and Cancer Heredity

Cancer is a genetic disorder in which the normal control of cell growth is lost. Oncogenomics or cancer genetics is now one of the fastest expanding medical specialties. At the molecular level, cancer is caused by mutation(s) in DNA, which result in aberrant cell proliferation. Most of these mutations are acquired and occur in somatic cells. However, some people inherit mutation(s) in the germ line. The mutation(s) occur in two classes of cellular genes: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.

Under normal conditions, tumor suppressor genesregulate cellular differentiation and suppression of proliferation. Mutations in these genes result in unchecked cellular proliferation resulting in tumors with abnormal cell cycles and tumor proliferation. The tumor suppressor genes contribute to cancer by the inactivating of loss of function mutation.