What property of cancer cells do chemotherapeutic agents attempt to exploit?

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Expert Solution

Rapid cell division of cancer cells is exploited by chemotherapeutic agents.

In normal cells, hundreds of genes control the process of cell division. The normal growth of cell requires a balance between the cell division and and its suppression. Cells become cancerous after accumulation of mutations in the various genes that control cell proliferation. Growth-promoting genes are commonly mutated in cancer cells and become super-active and produces cells uncontrolled.

Cancer cells no longer have the normal checks and balances in place that control and limit cell division. The process of cell division, whether normal or cancerous cells, is through the cell cycle. The cell cycle goes from the resting phase, through active growing phases, and then to mitosis (division).

Chemotherapy kill cancer cells depending on its ability to stop cell division. It's main function is to damage the RNA or DNA that signals the cell to divide. If the cancer cells are unable to divide, they die. It also induce cell suicide.

gladiator answered 1 year ago

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