Abstract
Further advances in cancer biology and therapeutics depend, among other things, on the development of knowledge of the organization and biological potential of cells within tumors. Two widely supported but extreme views of tumor cell organization have been expressed: 1) the view of tumors as consisting of undifferentiated cells, each with potential for tumor development but with phenotypic heterogeneity imposed by genetic and epigenetic events. Also, often superimposed on this model is the notion of “de-differentiation” which implies that carcinogenesis can occur in differentiated cells which can subsequently re-express the phenotype of more primitive cells. 2) The view of tumors as representing a form of the normal differentiating tissue from which the tumor derived. This implies heterogeneity of cells within tumors with respect to differentiation, and also implies that the likely target for carcinogenesis is the stem cell population. Much of the support for the former view is based on study of transplantable tumors in animals while the importance of cell differentiation has been reinforced mostly by study of spontaneous animal or human tumors.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.