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

More than 90 percent of pancreatic cancers carry mutations in the KRAS oncogene, making RAS proteins an attractive target for drug developers. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026

Cancer researchers have discovered that a notorious oncogene may occasionally wind up exposed on the outside of tumor cells, hinting at a surprising new immunotherapy target. — Stat Staff, STAT, 13 Mar. 2026

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

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

Researchers have found that people with multiple myeloma have abnormal oncogenes. — Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

onco- + gene

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oncogene

• acridine
• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene

Kids 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