Hallmarks of Cancer: Complexity and Capabilities

This lecture introduces the hallmarks of cancer, highlighting the extraordinary complexity of the disease at genetic, histological, and prognostic levels. It explores the rationalization of cancer complexity, proposing that seemingly disparate cancers may share fundamental capabilities. The hallmarks, such as sustained proliferative signaling and evading growth suppressors, are discussed in detail, along with emerging hallmarks like deregulating cellular energetics. The lecture also covers the role of enabling characteristics and the reprogramming of signaling circuits within cancer cells. Additionally, it delves into the interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment, emphasizing the importance of understanding tumor heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression.