Which of the Following is a Key Step in Carcinogenesis

Question

Which of the following is a key step in carcinogenesis?
A) Loss of p53 function
B) Gain of pRB function
C) Gain of p53 function
D) Loss of p53 function and Gain of pRB function
E) All of these

Accepted Answer

Loss of p53 function is a key step in carcinogenesis as p53 is a tumor suppressor gene that plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair. Its loss can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and increased genomic instability, ultimately contributing to the development and progression of cancer. Gain of pRB function, on the other hand, is not typically associated with carcinogenesis, and gain of p53 function is not a common occurrence in human cancers. Therefore, option A is the best choice.