Work

Nonheritable Cellular Variability Accelerates the Evolutionary Processes of Cancer

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Recent cancer studies emphasize that genetic and heritable epigenetic changes drive the evolutionary rate of cancer progression and drug resistance. We discuss the ways in which nonheritable aspects of cellular variability may significantly increase evolutionary rate. Nonheritable variability arises by stochastic fluctuations in cells and by physiological responses of cells to the environment. New approaches to drug design may be required to control nonheritable variability and the evolution of resistance to chemotherapy.

Source: PLoS Biology

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001296

Authors: Steven A. Frank, Marsha Rich Rosner

Institutions: University of California, Irvine, University of Chicago

Language: English

Topic: Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics

Subfield: Cancer Research

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,500