A 52-year-old man from Delhi presents with progressive dysphagia and chest pain for 3 months. Upper endoscopy reveals a fungating mass in the mid-esophagus with irregular borders. Biopsy shows squamous cell carcinoma. Molecular analysis reveals amplification of the MYC oncogene and loss of p53 tumor suppressor function. Which of the following best explains the aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis in this patient?