A 50-year-old female with a family history of breast cancer is found to have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, a tumor suppressor gene.  What is the most likely consequence of this mutation? 

A 45-year-old female with a family history of multiple cancers is found to have a germline mutation in the MLH1 gene, associated with Lynch syndrome.  What is the primary function of the MLH1 gene in normal cells? 

A 45-year-old male presents with lower back pain radiating down his left leg. He reports numbness and weakness in his left foot. MRI reveals a herniated disc at the L4-L5 level.  What is the most likely cause of his symptoms? 

What is the first step in the degeneration process of herniated disc disease? 

A patient presents with a bacterial infection, and their innate immune response is activated. Which of the following cells is most likely to be rapidly recruited to the site of infection? 

Which of the following is a characteristic of the adaptive immune system?

A 40-year-old male is diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a hereditary cancer syndrome associated with mutations in the TP53 gene.  What is the primary function of the TP53 gene in normal cells? 

What is the impact of immunosenescence on cancer risk in older adults? 

A 60-year-old male with advanced prostate cancer presents with fatigue, weight loss, and anemia. Laboratory tests reveal elevated inflammatory markers.  What is the most likely cause of these systemic symptoms? 

A 55-year-old female with breast cancer is found to have cells that have undergone epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT).  What is the primary consequence of EMT in cancer progression?