Chromosomal abnormalities and tumor development: from genes to therapeutic mechanisms

This article highlights the recent advances in our understanding of the molecular structure and function of proteins that are activated or created by chromosomal abnormalities and discusses their possible role in tumor development. The molecular characterization of these proteins has revealed that tumor-specific fusion proteins are the consequence of the majority of chromosomal translocations associated with leukemias and solid tumors. A common theme that emerges is that creation of these proteins disrupts the normal development of tumor-specific target cells by blocking apoptosis. These insights identify these chromosomal translocation-associated genes as potential targets for improved cancer therapies.