Stem Cells and Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
Nature. 2011 Jan 20;469(7330):314-22. doi: 10.1038/nature09781.
Both solid tumours and leukaemias show considerable histological and functional heterogeneity. It is widely accepted that genetic lesions have a major role in determining tumour phenotype, but evidence is also accumulating that cancers of distinct subtypes within an organ may derive from different 'cells of origin'. These cells acquire the first genetic hit or hits that culminate in the initiation of cancer. The identification of these crucial target cell populations may allow earlier detection of malignancies and better prediction of tumour behaviour, and ultimately may lead to preventive therapies for individuals at high risk of developing cancer.
实体瘤和白血病都表现出相当大的组织学和功能异质性。人们普遍认为，遗传病变在决定肿瘤表型方面起着主要作用，但越来越多的证据表明，同一器官内不同亚型的癌症可能来自不同的“起源细胞”。这些细胞获得了导致癌症起始的第一个或多个遗传打击。鉴定这些关键靶细胞群体可能有助于更早地发现恶性肿瘤，并更好地预测肿瘤的行为，最终可能为癌症高危个体提供预防性治疗。
