Molecular oncology is a field that has transformed the way cancer is diagnosed and treated, combining cutting-edge insights from molecular biology, genetics, and nuclear medicine.
What is molecular oncology
Molecular oncology is a subdiscipline of oncology that studies the molecular and genetic processes involved in the onset, development, and progression of cancer.
It focuses on understanding how genetic mutations, epigenetic alterations, and molecular interactions contribute to the behavior of cancer cells.
Key elements in molecular oncology include:
- Cancer genetics: understanding mutations in key genes and tumor suppressor genes to identify malignant cell transformation.
- Epigenetics: changes in gene regulation, which allow genes to be activated or silenced without altering the genetic sequence.
- Tumor microenvironment: the interaction between tumor cells and their immediate surroundings, including the immune system, plays a crucial role in cancer growth and metastasis.
Nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine is a branch of medicine that uses radioactive substances to diagnose or treat various diseases.
This approach involves the administration of radiopharmaceuticals, radioactive compounds designed to target specific tissues in the body.
Additionally, through imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), nuclear medicine allows detailed visualization of biological processes in real time.
In molecular oncology, nuclear medicine plays a crucial role in diagnosis, as it enables the identification of active tumors and differentiation between normal and cancerous tissues.
Functional imaging makes it possible to evaluate and monitor treatment, assessing how a tumor responds to specific therapy and adjusting the treatment if necessary.
Nuclear medicine also facilitates treatments such as radionuclide therapy, which combines molecules designed to bind to cancer cells with radioactive isotopes that destroy the tumor without damaging surrounding tissue.
Molecular biology in oncology
Molecular biology in oncology studies the molecular basis of cancer, focusing on how normal cellular processes become deregulated and give rise to tumor formation. This involves analyzing DNA, RNA, and proteins to identify key alterations in cancer cells.
In general, cancer cells exhibit significant alterations in fundamental biological processes. One of these is uncontrolled cell proliferation, driven by mutations in genes that regulate the cell cycle. Tumor cells can also evade apoptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism that eliminates damaged or defective cells, allowing them to survive even under adverse conditions.
Another crucial aspect is angiogenesis, in which cancer cells stimulate the formation of new blood vessels to supply themselves with oxygen and nutrients, facilitating their growth. Finally, tumor cells possess the ability to spread throughout the body, a process known as metastasis, which is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths.
Molecular biology uses advanced tools to study cancer at the genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic levels. Broadly speaking, this means it can identify specific mutations in the DNA of cells, analyze gene expression levels, and obtain information about protein profiles that contribute to the abnormal behavior of malignant cells.
Molecular oncology represents the future of cancer medicine by combining advanced knowledge of molecular biology and nuclear medicine, enabling the development of more effective and less invasive treatments.
Molecular oncologist near me
At the ABC Medical Center’s Cancer Center, our team of molecular oncology specialists is highly skilled and committed to delivering comprehensive and personalized care to meet all your oncological needs.
Our molecular oncologists in Mexico City are committed to your well-being and use the latest technology and the most advanced treatments to manage conditions such as breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and more.
