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Cancer Research

Cancer is a term used to define a group of diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control, are able to invade neighboring tissues/organs and metastasize. Cancer has been characterized by six hallmarks; self sufficiency in proliferative growth signals, insensitivity to growth inhibitors, evasion of apoptosis, limitless replicative potential, ability to develop blood vessels (angiogenesis), and tissue invasion and metastasis.

Cancers are often named after the organ in which they are first detected - the primary tumor site. Each primary tumor site has characteristic features and markers that can be targeted in research. For more information about each cancer type by primary tumor site see the Cancer Disease Product Areas below.

Research Areas
Literature (12)
Pathways (6)

Cancer Disease Product Areas

Cancer Research Product Areas

Cancer Classification

There are more than 100 different types of human cancer. As well as being named after the organ or type of cell in which they start, cancer types can also be grouped into broad categories, the five main ones being:

  • Carcinoma - cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line internal organs.
  • Sarcoma - cancer that begins in connective or supportive tissue (bone, cartilage, muscle).
  • Leukemia - cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow. Abnormal blood cells are produced which enter the bloodstream.
  • Lymphoma and myeloma - cancers that begin in the immune system.
  • CNS cancers - cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.
Therapeutics

Owing to the prevalence of cancer within the population, investigation of potential therapeutic targets is the focus of intense research. Current therapeutic research is focusing on identifying new cellular targets for intervention, developing drugs based on small molecules, antibodies or nucleic acids. New drugs specifically targeting intracellular kinases, growth factor receptors or the proteasome are beginning to be used as frontline therapies, often in combination with established chemotherapeutic agents.

Literature for Cancer Research

Tocris offers the following scientific literature for Cancer Research to showcase our products. We invite you to request* or download your copy today!

*Please note that Tocris will only send literature to established scientific business / institute addresses.

Cancer Research Product Guide

Cancer Research Product Guide

A collection of over 750 products for cancer research, the guide includes research tools for the study of:

  • Cancer Metabolism
  • Epigenetics in Cancer
  • Receptor Signaling
  • Cell Cycle and DNA Damage Repair
  • Angiogenesis
  • Invasion and Metastasis
Cancer Metabolism Research Product Guide

Cancer Metabolism Research Product Guide

This product guide reviews some of the main areas in cancer metabolism research and lists around 150 products that can be used to investigate metabolic pathways in cancer including:

Cell Cycle and DNA Damage Research Product Guide

Cell Cycle and DNA Damage Research Product Guide

This product guide provides a review of the cell cycle and DNA damage research area and lists over 170 products, including research tools for:

  • Cell Cycle and Mitosis
  • DNA Damage Repair
  • Targeted Protein Degradation
  • Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway
  • Chemotherapy Targets
Epigenetics in Cancer Research Product Guide

Epigenetics in Cancer Research Product Guide

This product guide reviews some of the main areas in cancer epigenetics research and lists around 120 products that can be used for the main epigenetic targets including:

  • Histone Methylation
  • Histone Acetylation
  • DNA Methylation
  • Ubiquitination
  • Bromodomains
Autophagy Scientific Review

Autophagy Scientific Review

Written by Patricia Boya and Patrice Codogno, this review summarizes the molecular mechanisms, physiology and pathology of autophagy. The role of autophagy in cell death and its links to disease are also discussed. Compounds available from Tocris are listed.

MAPK Signaling Scientific Review

MAPK Signaling Scientific Review

MAP kinase signaling is integral to the regulation of numerous cellular processes such as proliferation and differentiation, and as a result is an important focus of cancer and immunology research. Updated for 2016, this review discusses the regulation of the MAPK pathway and properties of MAPK cascades. Compounds available from Tocris are listed.

RAS Oncoproteins Scientific Review

RAS Oncoproteins Scientific Review

Written by Kirsten L. Bryant, Adrienne D. Cox and Channing J. Der, this review provides a comprehensive overview of RAS protein function and RAS mutations in cancer. Key signaling pathways are highlighted and therapeutic vulnerabilities are explored. This review also includes a detailed section on RAS drug discovery and targeting synthetic lethal interactors of mutant RAS. Compounds available from Tocris are listed.

Angiogenesis in Cancer Poster

Angiogenesis in Cancer Poster

This poster summarizes the pathogenesis of angiogenesis in cancer, as well as some of the main angiogenesis therapeutic targets.

Autophagy Poster

Autophagy Poster

Autophagy is a cellular process used by cells for degradation and recycling. Written by Patricia Boya and Patrice Codogno, this poster summarizes the molecular machinery, physiology and pathology of autophagy. Compounds available from Tocris are listed.

Cancer Metabolism Poster

Cancer Metabolism Poster

This poster summarizes the main metabolic pathways in cancer cells and highlights potential targets for cancer therapeutics. Genetic changes and epigenetic modifications in cancer cells alter the regulation of cellular metabolic pathways providing potential cancer therapeutic targets.

Cell Cycle & DNA Damage Repair Poster

Cell Cycle & DNA Damage Repair Poster

In normal cells, each stage of the cell cycle is tightly regulated, however in cancer cells many genes and proteins that are involved in the regulation of the cell cycle are mutated or over expressed. Adapted from the 2015 Cancer Product Guide, Edition 3, this poster summarizes the stages of the cell cycle and DNA repair. It also highlights strategies for enhancing replicative stress in cancer cells to force mitotic catastrophe and cell death.

Programmed Cell Death Poster

Programmed Cell Death Poster

There are two currently recognized forms of programmed cell death: apoptosis and necroptosis. This poster summarizes the signaling pathways involved in apoptosis, necroptosis and cell survival following death receptor activation, and highlights the influence of the molecular switch, cFLIP, on cell fate.

Pathways for Cancer Research

Akt Signaling Pathway

Akt Signaling Pathway

The Akt signaling pathway plays a key role in the mediation of protein synthesis, metabolism, proliferation and cell cycle progression. It may be referred to as a 'prosurvival' pathway.
Apoptosis Signaling Pathway

Apoptosis Signaling Pathway

Apoptosis is a physiological process for cell death that is critical during aging and development. It may also be referred to as cell 'suicide'. Apoptosis can be triggered by events both inside and outside of the cell.
MAPK Signaling Pathway

MAPK Signaling Pathway

The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway evokes an intracellular signaling cascade in response to extracellular stimuli such as heat and stress. It can influence cell division, metabolism and survival.
VEGF Signaling Pathway

VEGF Signaling Pathway

VEGF signaling pathway is involved in embryonic vascular development (vasculogenesis) and in the formation of new blood vessel (angiogenesis). It also induces cell migration, proliferation and survival.
mTOR Signaling Pathway

mTOR Signaling Pathway

mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase that nucleates at multiprotein complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2. Signaling by these complexes regulates cell growth, proliferation and survival.
p53 Signaling Pathway

p53 Signaling Pathway

p53 signaling plays an important role in the co-ordination of the cellular response different types of stress such as DNA damage and hypoxia. The downstream signals lead to apoptosis, senescence and cell cycle arrest.