# Oncogene

Source: https://onco.cc/terms/oncogene/  
OnCo record `oncogene` (Term). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

A gene that, when over-activated by mutation or extra copies, pushes a cell to grow and divide. Think of an accelerator pedal stuck to the floor.

## Summary

Normal cells carry these genes as proto-oncogenes, which drive growth only when the cell receives the right signals; a mutation, amplification or fusion can lock them permanently on. Many oncogenes encode receptors and kinases in growth-signalling pathways (EGFR, HER2, ALK, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA), which is why so many targeted drugs are kinase inhibitors. Because a single activated oncogene can dominate a tumour's behaviour, blocking it can produce dramatic responses, the basis of oncogene addiction and of the whole targeted-therapy paradigm.

## Fields

- Kind: Term
- Last checked: 2026-09-09
- Also known as: oncogenes; oncogenic; proto-oncogene; proto-oncogenes

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncogene
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncogene

## Connected records

- terms: [Driver mutation](https://onco.cc/terms/driver-mutation/), [Gene](https://onco.cc/terms/gene/), [Growth signal](https://onco.cc/terms/growth-signal/), [Hallmark: sustaining proliferative signalling](https://onco.cc/terms/sustaining-proliferative-signaling/), [Kinase](https://onco.cc/terms/kinase/), [Oncogene addiction](https://onco.cc/terms/oncogene-addiction/), [Somatic mutation theory of cancer](https://onco.cc/terms/somatic-mutation-theory/), [Tumour suppressor gene](https://onco.cc/terms/tumour-suppressor-gene/)
- targets: [ALK](https://onco.cc/targets/alk/), [BRAF](https://onco.cc/targets/braf/), [EGFR](https://onco.cc/targets/egfr/), [HER2](https://onco.cc/targets/her2/), [KRAS](https://onco.cc/targets/kras/), [PIK3CA / PI3K-alpha](https://onco.cc/targets/pik3ca/)
- cancers: [KRAS G12C-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/kras-g12c-nsclc/), [KRAS G12C-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/kras-g12c-pdac/)

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JSON: https://onco.cc/api/v1/entities/oncogene.json