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The genetic script of metastasis

Goodwin G Jinesh1,2, Andrew S Brohl2,3

  • 1Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, U.S.A.

Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
|October 31, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Understanding cancer metastasis is key to developing targeted therapies. Genetic factors like epigenetic changes and RNA alterations drive metastasis, primarily through epithelial to mesenchymal transition and evading cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Metastasis transforms treatable cancers into malignant and fatal diseases.
  • Understanding the genetic underpinnings of metastasis is critical for effective cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To dissect the genetic control of cancer metastasis.
  • To explore how genetic regulatory mechanisms can be leveraged for therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of alterations in epigenetic mechanisms, transcription, and chromosomal dynamics.
  • Analysis of non-coding RNAs, coding RNAs, mutant RNAs, enhancers, G-quadruplexes, and copy number variations.
  • Focus on epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cell death evasion.

Main Results:

  • Genetic control of metastasis involves diverse mechanisms including epigenetics, transcription, and RNA alterations.
  • Epithelial to mesenchymal transition and evasion of cell death are predominant pathways in metastasis.
  • Copy number variations and G-quadruplexes play roles in metastasis regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic regulatory mechanisms are central to cancer metastasis.
  • Targeting these genetic pathways offers potential for sustainable control of metastatic disease.
  • Harnessing genetic insights can lead to novel and effective cancer therapies.
Keywords:
H3K27ac/acetylationce-RNAimprintinglinc-RNAlnc-RNAmetastasismethylationmiRNA

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