Oncogenes as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer: A Review

Carcinogenesis is a multi-step process which result in uncontrolled cell growth. Mutations in DNA that lead to cancer disrupt these orderly processes by disrupting the programming regulating the processes.. This results in uncontrolled cell division leading to carcinogenesis. Oncogenes are genes whose protein products stimulate or enhance the division and viability of cells. Oncogenes arise by activating mutation of their precursors, the proto-oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes are often directly involved in growth regulation of normal cells. Advances in molecular studies had led to the identification of many oncogenes in cancer formation. This will help in early detection of many cancers. The action of drugs on oncogenes will help in specific treatment of different types of cancers. An overview of the functions, properties and clinical importance of oncogenes is discussed in this review.