In defense of the somatic mutation theory of cancer
- Author(s)
- Vaux, DL;
- Details
- Publication Year 2011-05,Volume 33,Issue #5,Page 341-343
- Journal Title
- BIOESSAYS
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- According to the somatic mutation theory (SMT), cancer begins with a genetic change in a single cell that passes it on to its progeny, thereby generating a clone of malignant cells. It is strongly supported by observations of leukemias that bear specific chromosome translocations, such as Burkitt's lymphoma, in which a translocation activates the c-myc gene, and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), in which the Philadelphia chromosome causes production of the BCR-ABL oncoprotein. Although the SMT has been modified and extended to encompass tumor suppressor genes, epigenetic inheritance, and tumor progression through accumulation of further mutations, perhaps the strongest validation comes from the successful treatment of certain malignancies with drugs that directly target the product of the mutant gene.
- Publisher
- WILEY-BLACKWELL
- Keywords
- TERATOCARCINOMA CELLS; TRANSGENIC MICE; LYMPHOID TUMORS; B-CELLS; C-MYC; P53; BCL-2; COOPERATION; MALIGNANCY; MELANOMA
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201100022
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2011-05-01 12:00:00