Hallmarks of Cancer MCQ

The “Hallmarks of Cancer” concept was first introduced by Douglas Hanahan and Robert Weinberg in 2000 and has been expanded since. The hallmarks describe the distinct biological capabilities that cells acquire during the development of human tumours.

This series of MCQ questions are designed to aid and test your understanding of this core concept. Click on the correct answer and it’ll take you onward in the quiz, explaining the answers as you go.

Question 1: A patient with a solid tumour is found to have a mutation in the gene encoding for the tumour-suppressor protein p53. How does this mutation relate to the hallmarks of cancer, and which hallmark would be most directly affected by this mutation?

Sustaining proliferative signalling, because p53 normally prevents cell division by inhibiting growth factor signalling pathways.

Resisting cell death, because p53 normally promotes apoptosis in response to DNA damage.

Enabling replicative immortality, because p53 is involved in maintaining telomere length during cell division.

Inducing angiogenesis, because p53 normally suppresses the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).