Hallmarks Q8

Resisting cell death, because PI3K-AKT signalling enhances the survival of cancer cells by inhibiting apoptotic pathways
Rationale: While the PI3K-AKT pathway can affect multiple hallmarks, it is particularly associated with promoting cell survival and inhibiting apoptosis, thus supporting the hallmark of “Resisting cell death.”

The complexity of the pathway is shown below… makes you appreciate how one mutation that activates AKT/PI3K can have a major effect on advancing tumour progression.

Q8. Which of the following scenarios best explains how cancer cells can “evade growth suppressors”?

Overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) that halt the cell cycle.
Loss-of-function mutations in Rb protein, leading to uncontrolled cell cycle progression.
Upregulation of Fas ligand, which promotes apoptosis in nearby normal cells.
Downregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which decreases tissue invasion.