What is Molecular Cancer Research? We say let's find a cure for all cancers.

We believe the most exciting and promising cancer research being done is through evaluating the molecular and cellular aspects of cancer. Although all cancers are different, there seem to be only five alterations to the cell’s biology that are at the root of most human malignancies. By focusing on the mechanisms that give rise to cancer, new treatments and therapies attack the problem at the most basic level.

We are dedicated to helping researchers whose goal is to investigate and develop innovative therapies that target the biologic mechanisms that give rise to cancer, with the hope of extending the lives of patients. 

According to leading biomolecular research firm Genentech, cancer malignancies are all related to these inappropriate types of growth signaling:



Self-sufficiency in growth signals: Cancer cells produce their own growth signals and proliferate without environmental cues
Insensitivity to antigrowth signals: Cancer cells evade antigrowth signals in order to proliferate
Evading apoptosis:Tumor cells avoid apoptosis (programmed cell death) and expand in number
Sustained angiogenesis:Cancer cells induce and sustain blood vessel growth
Limitless potential for replication:The DNA of tumor cells can replicate an infinite number of times
Tissue invasion and metastasis:Tumor masses spawn pioneer cells that colonize sites where nutrients and space are not limiting

More detailed information about this exciting field can be found in the American Association of Cancer Research’s journals Molecular Cancer Research and Molecular Cancer Therapies.

 
Reference:1.Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. The hallmarks of cancer. Cell. 2000;100:57-70.
Figure adapted with permission from Cell, Vol 100, Hanahan and Weinberg, The Hallmarks of Cancer, pp 57-70, Copyright Elsevier (2000).
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