[PDF][PDF] Regulation of cellular identity in cancer

N Roy, M Hebrok - Developmental cell, 2015 - cell.com
N Roy, M Hebrok
Developmental cell, 2015cell.com
Neoplastic transformation requires changes in cellular identity. Emerging evidence
increasingly points to cellular reprogramming, a process during which fully differentiated and
functional cells lose aspects of their identity while gaining progenitor characteristics, as a
critical early step during cancer initiation. This cell identity crisis persists even at the
malignant stage in certain cancers, suggesting that reactivation of progenitor functions
supports tumorigenicity. Here, we review recent findings that establish the essential role of …
Neoplastic transformation requires changes in cellular identity. Emerging evidence increasingly points to cellular reprogramming, a process during which fully differentiated and functional cells lose aspects of their identity while gaining progenitor characteristics, as a critical early step during cancer initiation. This cell identity crisis persists even at the malignant stage in certain cancers, suggesting that reactivation of progenitor functions supports tumorigenicity. Here, we review recent findings that establish the essential role of cellular reprogramming during neoplastic transformation and the major players involved in it with a special emphasis on pancreatic cancer.
cell.com