Joe Alvarez wrote:
What DNA changes must occur? Do you have evidence that cancer must be initiated
in DNA?
There is overwhelming evidence that cancer begins with genetic (i.e. DNA) changes in otherwise normal cells. Herman Muller hypothesized that genetic changes were important in cancer more than 50 years ago. With the development of various molecular biology techniques, it has now been shown that cancer results from mutations in proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Some cancers (particularly leukemias and lymphomas) have characteristic chromosomal aberrations (e.g., Phialdelphia chromosomne in chronic myelogenous leukemia). You may wish to review the works of Janet Rowley, Harold Varmus, Michael Bishop, and Bert Vogelstein on aspects of genetic changes in carcinogenesis.
Ken
Kenneth L. Mossman
Professor and Director
Office of Radiation Safety
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-3501
Voice: 480.965.0584/6190
Fax: 480.965.6609
Cellular: 602.769.2371
E-mail: ken.mossman@asu.edu