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Clonal expansion in non-cancer tissues
Nobuyuki Kakiuchi1,2, Seishi Ogawa3,4,5
1Department of Pathology and Tumour Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Nature Reviews. Cancer
|February 25, 2021
Summary
Clonal expansion of cells with cancer-driving mutations occurs in normal tissues, linked to aging and inflammation. These expansions may not always lead to cancer but offer insights into early cancer development and age-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cancer arises from single cells acquiring driver mutations, leading to clonal expansion.
- Clonal expansion of cells with cancer driver mutations is increasingly observed in phenotypically normal tissues.
- This phenomenon is associated with aging, environmental insults, and chronic inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review findings on clonal expansion in normal tissues.
- To discuss the biological significance of these expansions in cancer development, aging, and inflammatory diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on clonal expansion in normal tissues.
- Analysis of the role of cancer driver mutations in non-cancerous tissues.
Main Results:
- Expansion of mutated clones is found in various normal tissues, sometimes leading to tissue remodeling.
- Some driver mutations in normal tissues may not promote carcinogenesis and can even be negatively selected.
- Genetically altered clones in tissues may contribute to aging phenotypes or modified inflammatory responses.
Conclusions:
- Clonal expansion in normal tissues provides a unique window into early carcinogenic processes.
- These expansions have implications beyond cancer, influencing aging and inflammatory conditions.
- Understanding these clonal dynamics is crucial for a comprehensive view of tissue health and disease.
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