Overview
Please answer the Questions according to the attached slides.
1. There is not a single theory that satisfactorily explains how every tumor “chooses” its site of metastasis and tumors from specific tissues can metastasize to different sites. For each tumor below, please come up with a theory that best explains the listed site of metastasis. Use the 3 theories described in class as the basis of your theory and modify/expand/combine theories if necessary. For each example, in a few sentences, describe why a particular theory fits that particular site of metastasis or what parts of the various theories (if you are combining) fit that tissue site.
a) prostate cancer metastasis to bone
b) breast cancer metastasis to lung
c) pancreas cancer metastasis to liver
d) lung cancer metastasis to brain.
2. You have a cancer patient who has a Ras mutation that makes the Ras always in the “signaling-on” conformation (bound GTP). Will you treat this patient with EGFR targeted agents? (yes or no) Briefly explain your reasoning. Would you treat this patient with a small molecule that inhibited Ras enzymatic (GTPase) activity? (yes or no) Briefly explain your reasoning.
3. not using the examples shown on the slide, name one TAA and one TSA. Make your choice, based on what you know about specific cancer-associated proteins we have learned about and briefly justify your answer (essentially providing the definition of TAA and TSA).