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Leading the way in cancer innovation by following the science

While there are many distinct types of cancer, there are believed to be 5 essential alterations to normal cell physiology, which together define the progression of most human malignancies.¹

Our goal at Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, is to investigate and develop innovative therapies that target the biologic mechanisms that give rise to cancer, with the hope of extending the lives of patients. Our scientists are dedicated to defining the molecular basis of cancer and to translating this knowledge into the development of novel biologic and small-molecule agents that target the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread.

The Hallmarks of Cancer

This figure was adapted with permission from Cell, Vol 100, Hanahan and Weinberg, The Hallmarks of Cancer, pp 57-70, Copyright Elsevier (2000).

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Growth signaling:

Self-sufficiency in growth signals: Cancer cells produce their own growth signals and proliferate without environmental cues¹

Insensitivity to antigrowth signals: Cancer cells evade antigrowth signals in order to proliferate¹

Evading apoptosis:

Tumor cells avoid apoptosis (programmed cell death) and expand in number¹

Sustained angiogenesis:

Cancer cells induce and sustain blood vessel growth¹

Limitless potential for replication:

The DNA of tumor cells can replicate an infinite number of times¹

Tissue invasion and metastasis:

Tumor masses spawn pioneer cells that colonize sites where nutrients and space are not limiting¹

Reference:

1.

Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. The hallmarks of cancer. Cell. 2000;100:57-70.