Targets of oncogenes and tumor suppressors: key for understanding basic mechanisms of carcinogenesis.

Changes in expression of protooncogenes and tumor suppressor genes play a key role in oncogenesis. Dysfunction of their protein products leads to abnormal regulation of signaling pathways, which control the cell cycle, apoptosis, genetic stability, cell differentiation, and morphogenetic reactions. Changes in these important physiological processes are obviously responsible both for initial steps of neoplastic cell transformation and for determination of subsequent tumor progression resulting in the development of malignant tumors.