What are oncogenes ?

Oncogenes play a pivotal role in the development and progression of cancer. Originating from normal genes, or proto-oncogenes, oncogenes undergo mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth, survival, and proliferation. These genes are crucial in various cellular functions, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis evasion, and DNA repair mechanisms, which when altered, contribute to the onset and spread of tumors.

To advance research in oncology, AnyGenes provides specialized qPCR arrays focused on the expression analysis of oncogenes and their pathways. These arrays allow for the accurate quantification and profiling of key oncogenic markers, supporting researchers in identifying potential therapeutic targets and understanding molecular mechanisms underpinning cancer progression. By leveraging AnyGenes’ advanced qPCR technology, researchers can gain insights into the dynamic role of oncogenes in tumor biology, ultimately contributing to the development of precision medicine approaches.

Discover our advanced qPCR arrays for Oncogenes research.

An integrated analysis of genetic alterations in 10 signaling pathways in 9,000 tumors profiled by TCGA highlights significant representation of individual and co-occurring actionable alterations in these pathways, suggesting opportunities for targeted and combination therapies.

Majore oncogenic signaling pathways

Oncogenes activate various signaling pathways essential for cancer cell survival and proliferation. Key pathways include:

Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK Pathway: frequently activated by mutations in the Ras gene family.
PI3K/Akt Pathway: often activated in cancers through mutations or amplifications of its components, contributing to resistance against apoptosis and enhancing tumor growth.
JAK/STAT Pathway: crucial for mediating responses to cytokines and growth factors. JAK/STAT signaling can lead to increased cell proliferation and survival by promoting anti-apoptotic mechanisms.
Notch Signaling: can promote or inhibit tumor growth depending on the context.
mTOR Pathway: regulates cell growth and metabolism.
Wnt/β-catenin Pathway: mutations of its components can lead to enhanced tumorigenesis, particularly in colorectal cancer.
TGF-β Signaling: act as a tumor suppressor in early stages but promotes metastasis in advanced stages.
EGFR Signaling: commonly activated in many cancers through mutations or overexpression.

Types of oncogenes biomarkers

Biomarkers associated with oncogenes play a crucial role in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment stratification. These biomarkers can indicate the presence of specific oncogenes, aiding in the understanding of tumor behavior and response to therapies. Here are key aspects of oncogene biomarkers:

Mutations: Specific mutations in oncogenes (e.g., KRAS, BRAF) serve as biomarkers for various cancers. For instance, the presence of a KRAS mutation in colorectal cancer can guide treatment decisions, such as the use of anti-EGFR therapies.
Gene Amplifications: Overexpression of oncogenes like HER2 in breast cancer is a well-established biomarker. HER2-positive tumors often respond well to targeted therapies like trastuzumab (Herceptin).
Translocations: In some cancers, specific translocations lead to the formation of fusion oncogenes, such as BCR-ABL in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Detection of this fusion gene is critical for diagnosis and treatment.

Targeting therapies against oncogenic pathways

Targeted cancer therapies are designed to inhibit specific oncogenic pathways, blocking the molecular signals that promote cancer cell survival. Current research focuses on creating drugs tailored to unique oncogene profiles, offering a personalized approach to treatment that minimizes damage to normal cells.

Identifying oncogenes as biomarkers enables early cancer detection and aids in predicting disease progression. These biomarkers help clinicians assess the aggressiveness of a tumor, predict patient outcomes, and tailor treatment approaches based on the oncogene profile of the cancer.

Oncogenes and resistance to therapy

Oncogenes can contribute to therapy resistance by activating molecular pathways that allow cancer cells to survive and thrive despite treatment. Here’s how they play a role:

Altered Drug Targets: For instance, mutations in the BRAF gene in melanoma can reduce sensitivity to BRAF inhibitors, leading to therapy resistance.
Enhanced DNA Repair Mechanisms: Genes like MYC and BRCA1/2 may activate enhanced repair mechanisms, helping cancer cells recover and continue proliferating after treatment.
Drug Efflux Pumps Activation: Some oncogenes, such as MDR1 (multi-drug resistance 1), increase the production of proteins that pump drugs out of the cancer cells.
Inhibition of Apoptosis: Oncogenes like BCL-2 and BCL-XL are known for inhibiting apoptosis (programmed cell death), a critical process targeted by many therapies.
Activation of Alternative Signaling Pathways: For example, in response to EGFR inhibitors, cells may upregulate PI3K/AKT or MAPK pathways, providing alternative routes for cell growth and survival, leading to drug resistance.
Immune Evasion: Some oncogenes enable cancer cells to evade immune detection, which is especially relevant in therapies that rely on immune system activation (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors).

Analyze your pathway data with AnyGenes® software

Scientific data is only as powerful as the analysis behind it.

AnyGenes® provides a dedicated data analysis tool specifically developed for SignArrays® pathway panels.

What does it allow you to do?

Automated ΔCq calculation
Normalization with selected housekeeping genes
Comparison of up to 10 experimental conditions
Generation of descriptive statistics
Publication-ready graphs
Exportable tables for manuscripts and presentations

Developed on Excel (compatible with 2007+), the software is user-friendly and requires no advanced bioinformatics skills.

Customize your own signaling pathways (SignArrays®) with the factors of your choice!
Simply download and complete our Personalized SignArrays® information file and send it at [email protected] to initiate your project.

Oncogenes biomarker list

You can check the biomarker list included in this pathway, see below:

Species : Homo sapiens (human)

Human Oncogenes

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Oncogenes	ON1H1	Download biomarker list

Species : Mus musculus (mouse)

Mouse Oncogenes

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Oncogenes	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

Species : Rattus norvegicus (rat)

Rat signaling pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Oncogenes	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

Species : Sus Scrofa (Pig)

Pig Oncogenes

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Oncogenes	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

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Bibliography

1. Baltanas FC, et al. Advances in Molecular Research of Oncogenes. Int J Mol Sci. (2023)13;24(8):7222.

2. Raghav KPS, Moasser MM. Molecular Pathways and Mechanisms of HER2 in Cancer Therapy. Clin Cancer Res. (2023)5;29(13):2351-2361.

3. Krishna BM, et al. Notch signaling in breast cancer: From pathway analysis to therapy. Cancer Lett. (2019)1:461:123-131.

4. Sanchez-Vega F, et al. Oncogenic Signaling Pathways in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Cell. (2018)5;173(2):321-337.e10.

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