1976 - Harold E. Varmus and J. Michael Bishop discovers the first cellular oncogeneA defective gene that is involved in triggering cancer cell growth. Oncogenes are altered forms of genes that normally are involved stimulating cell division. These normal genes are mutated and function in an inappropriate manner in cancer cells. An analogy would be that a mutated oncogene is like a car's gas pedal stuck in the on position. All forms of cancer have one or more mutant oncogenes. Examples of oncogenes that are altered in many cancers are myc, ras and Her-2/neu. Contrast with 'tumor suppressor'., src. This is the same geneA stretch of DNA that leads to the production of an RNA. The RNA is produced during the process of transcription. This RNA can be used to guide the formation of a protein via translation or can be used directly in the cell. carried by the virusThe smallest type of organism known. A single virus particle (called a virion) is much smaller than a cell. Viruses reproduce by invading cells and forcing the cells to make progeny virions. Viruses generally have specific host cells which they infect. Some virus types are associated with specific cancers and can convert normal cells into cancer cells. Examples of viruses associated with cancer are: papillomavirus-cervical cancer, hepatitis virus-liver cancer, Epstein-Barr virus-Burkitt's lymphoma. Virus-induced transformation of cells was one of the very first model systems for the study of cancer. Viruses have also been a key tool in the identification of many oncogenes. Because of their great ability to enter target cells viruses such as adenoviruses are being examined for their ability to deliver genes to cancer cells. originally described by Peyton Rous.
1986 - Stephen H. Friend et al. isolates the first tumor suppressorA gene that functions in the control of cell division. Tumor suppressors normally work to limit cell division and may be contrasted with oncogenes. gene, RbA tumor suppressor. The Rb gene is mutated in many different cancers but was initially described due to its role in the development of an eye cancer, retinoblastoma, which usually strikes young children. The protein product of the gene is a transcription factor that controls the expression of genes important in driving cells into the division process. (for retinoblastoma). This gene was also one of the first associated with an inherited (familial) form of cancer.1, 2
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