Honecker Friedemann, Oosterhuis J Wolter, Mayer Frank, Hartmann Jörg Thomas, Bokemeyer Carsten, Looijenga Leendert H J
Department of Pathology, Josephine Nefkens Institute, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center Rotterdam, Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Room 430b, P.O. Box 1738 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
World J Urol. 2004 Apr;22(1):15-24. doi: 10.1007/s00345-004-0399-7. Epub 2004 Mar 20.
The group of human germ cell tumors (GCTs) is heterogeneous, and comprises neoplasms found at different anatomical locations. They are of interest not only for aspects of their tumor biology, but also from the point of view of developmental biology. GCTs show significant similarities to early germ cell development, most likely related to their cell of origin. Comparative analysis of the tumors and representative normal counterparts can therefore help to define events which are related to the pathogenesis of this cancer. Within the testis, three separate GCT entities have been identified, characterized by differing patho-biological, molecular/cytogenetic, and clinical observations, which will be described in more detail in this review. This article will highlight the most important contributions to the field in the last years. This includes the diagnostic value of OCT3/4, a transcription factor and marker for pluripotency. Furthermore, the invasive GCTs of young adults consistently show a gain of 12p-sequences, of which the exact role, including the gene(s) involved, remains to be elucidated, although interesting candidates have been identified. Finally, treatment sensitivity/resistance of GCTs most likely reflect the intrinsic characteristics of the cells of origin and their derivatives. The pluripotency of GCTs, in particular the possible loss of the embryonic characteristics and acquisition of somatic differentiation, could be a crucial phenomenon in this process.
人类生殖细胞肿瘤（GCTs）群体具有异质性，包括在不同解剖位置发现的肿瘤。它们不仅因其肿瘤生物学方面而受到关注，而且从发育生物学的角度来看也很重要。GCTs与早期生殖细胞发育表现出显著相似性，很可能与其起源细胞有关。因此，对肿瘤与其代表性正常对应物进行比较分析有助于确定与这种癌症发病机制相关的事件。在睾丸内，已鉴定出三种不同的GCT实体，其特征在于不同的病理生物学、分子/细胞遗传学和临床观察结果，本综述将对此进行更详细的描述。本文将重点介绍近年来该领域最重要的贡献。这包括OCT3/4的诊断价值，OCT3/4是一种转录因子和多能性标志物。此外，年轻成年人的侵袭性GCTs始终显示12p序列增加，尽管已经确定了有趣的候选基因，但其确切作用，包括所涉及的基因，仍有待阐明。最后，GCTs的治疗敏感性/耐药性很可能反映了起源细胞及其衍生物的内在特征。GCTs的多能性，特别是胚胎特征可能的丧失和体细胞分化的获得，可能是这一过程中的关键现象。
