Molecular oncology in gynecologic cancer: Immunologic Response, Cytokines, Oncogenes, and Tumor Suppressor Genes

As our understanding of cancer biology continues to improve with scientific discovery, there is a better appreciation of the steps leading to cancer initiation, proliferation, and subsequent metastasis. The complex interplay between molecular and cellular contributes to cancer development and progression. This chapter summarizes the basics of immunology and the importance of the immunologic responses in gynecologic cancers. We explore specific regulatory pathways that are altered in cancer development, as well as targeted therapeutics with a focus in gynecologic malignancies. Since cancer is said to be a “genetic disease, " we also discuss the role of DNR repair genes in carcinogenesis as well as the importance of genetic testing.