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Phenotypic noise and plasticity in cancer evolution.
Frederick J H Whiting1, Jacob Househam1, Ann-Marie Baker1
1Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
Trends in Cell Biology
|November 15, 2023
Summary
Cancer cells can alter their traits without genetic changes. We propose distinguishing environmental responses (phenotypic plasticity) from random changes (phenotypic noise) to improve cancer evolution understanding and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cancer Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Cellular Phenotypes
Background:
- Non-genetic alterations impact cancer cell fitness and phenotype.
- Existing cancer evolution models often overlook environmental triggers for phenotypic changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate between environmentally induced phenotypic plasticity and spontaneous phenotypic noise in cancer.
- To refine conceptual and methodological approaches for studying non-genetic changes in cancer evolution.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of phenotypic plasticity and phenotypic noise definitions.
- Discussion of techniques for identifying non-genetic phenotype changes in cancer.
Main Results:
- Phenotypic plasticity is defined as a response to environmental change.
- Phenotypic noise describes non-genetic phenotype changes independent of the environment.
Conclusions:
- Distinguishing plasticity from noise clarifies mechanisms of cancer phenotype change.
- This distinction aids in developing targeted cancer treatments and improving patient outcomes.
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