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Related Concept Videos

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
What is Cancer?02:12

What is Cancer?

Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...

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Updated: May 23, 2026

Cell-cell Fusion of Genome Edited Cell Lines for Perturbation of Cellular Structure and Function
07:30

Cell-cell Fusion of Genome Edited Cell Lines for Perturbation of Cellular Structure and Function

Published on: December 7, 2019

How Do Cancer Cells Fuse and Why?

Kayode Komolafe1,2, Oluwatoyin V Odubanjo1,3, Ariane M Chitoh1,2

  • 1Department of Biology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, USA.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|May 21, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cell fusion creates hybrid cancer cells that drive tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Understanding this process offers new avenues for cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Keywords:
Cancer cell fusionFusogensHybrid cellsImmune evasionTumor heterogeneity

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Oncogenic Gene Fusion Detection Using Anchored Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Followed by Next Generation Sequencing
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Cell Electrofusion Visualized with Fluorescence Microscopy
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Cell Electrofusion Visualized with Fluorescence Microscopy

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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

Cell-cell Fusion of Genome Edited Cell Lines for Perturbation of Cellular Structure and Function
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Published on: December 7, 2019

Oncogenic Gene Fusion Detection Using Anchored Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Followed by Next Generation Sequencing
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Cell Electrofusion Visualized with Fluorescence Microscopy
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Cell Electrofusion Visualized with Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: July 1, 2010

Area of Science:

  • Cancer Biology
  • Cellular Dynamics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cell fusion is a key process in cancer biology, influencing tumor heterogeneity, metastasis, immune evasion, and therapy resistance.
  • Both homotypic (cancer-cancer) and heterotypic (cancer-non-cancer) fusion events generate hybrid cells with increased fitness.
  • Fusion is driven by fusogens like syncytin-1 and annexins, and modulated by factors such as inflammation, hypoxia, and therapeutic stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the molecular mechanisms, functional consequences, and clinical implications of cancer cell fusion.
  • To highlight the role of cell fusion in cancer progression and resistance to therapy.
  • To explore potential therapeutic opportunities arising from understanding cancer cell fusion.

Main Methods:

  • Review of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies on cancer cell fusion.
  • Analysis of molecular drivers (fusogens) and external influences on the fusion process.
  • Examination of the functional outcomes of cell fusion in cancer pathophysiology.

Main Results:

  • Cancer cell fusion contributes to genomic instability, tumor plasticity, enhanced metastatic potential, stem-like reprogramming, and immune evasion.
  • Hybrid cells resulting from fusion possess enhanced fitness and drive diverse cancer outcomes.
  • Clinically, hybrid cells show potential as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment stratification.

Conclusions:

  • Cell fusion plays a multifaceted role in cancer, promoting progression and resistance but also offering therapeutic targets.
  • Context-specific approaches are needed due to the dual role of fusion in tumor growth and normal physiology.
  • Further research into fusion machinery and fusion-induced immunogenicity may lead to novel cancer therapies.