Question

Do you feel that an increased understanding of the regulatory mechanism of the cell cycle increases our understanding of how cancer develops?

Answer 1

Yes. Understanding the role of various regulatory proteins, DNA error correction systems gives us a better idea of how cancer develops. If these mechanisms are better understood, we can know the root cause of the cancer and treat accordingly. After all, cancer is nothing but uncontrolled cell division. Example is p53 gene. It produces a protein which regulates the cell cycle and suppresses tumor formation. Loss of function of this gene makes a person prone to cancer.