oncogene
noun
on·co·gene
ˈäŋ-kō-ˌjēn 
: a gene having the potential to cause a normal cell to become cancerous
Examples of oncogene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Additionally, cancer cells with many copies of the MYCN oncogene on ecDNA grow quickly but are more easily destroyed by chemotherapy.
—
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Viruses that actually do cause cancer are characterized by direct integration into the genetic structure of the host, the development of viral oncogenes or chronic infection (think Hepatitis B, for example) that can tragically result in liver cancer.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2025
It's hoped the novel drug will be able to stunt the growth and enable the effective treatment of cancers driven by the MYC oncogene and its MYC protein.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 13 June 2025
When these genes mutate, they are then called oncogenes.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 14 Feb. 2025
Traditional treatments use mutation location To attempt to answer this question, our research team chose to focus on one oncogene in lung cancer, EGFR, or epidermal growth factor receptor.
—Jacqulyne Robichaux, The Conversation, 25 Oct. 2021
At first scientists thought TP53 was an oncogene, meaning that mutations within it would cause cancer.
—Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 17 May 2021
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Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Viruses that actually do cause cancer are characterized by direct integration into the genetic structure of the host, the development of viral oncogenes or chronic infection (think Hepatitis B, for example) that can tragically result in liver cancer.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2025
It's hoped the novel drug will be able to stunt the growth and enable the effective treatment of cancers driven by the MYC oncogene and its MYC protein.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 13 June 2025
When these genes mutate, they are then called oncogenes.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 14 Feb. 2025
Traditional treatments use mutation location To attempt to answer this question, our research team chose to focus on one oncogene in lung cancer, EGFR, or epidermal growth factor receptor.
—Jacqulyne Robichaux, The Conversation, 25 Oct. 2021
At first scientists thought TP53 was an oncogene, meaning that mutations within it would cause cancer.
—Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 17 May 2021
Cite this Entry
“Oncogene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oncogene. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oncogene
noun
on·co·gene
ˈäŋ-kō-ˌjēn
: a gene having the potential to cause a normal cell to become cancerous
Medical Definition
oncogene
noun
on·co·gene
ˈäŋ-kō-ˌjēn
: a gene having the potential to cause a normal cell to become cancerous
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