Wang Hao-Fei, Xiang Wei, Xue Bing-Zhou, Wang Yi-Hao, Yi Dong-Ye, Jiang Xiao-Bing, Zhao Hong-Yang, Fu Peng
Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China.
Oncol Lett. 2021 Jul;22(1):530. doi: 10.3892/ol.2021.12791. Epub 2021 May 16.
Cell fusion is involved in several physiological processes, such as reproduction, development and immunity. Although cell fusion in tumors was reported 130 years ago, it has recently attracted great interest, with recent progress in tumorigenesis research. However, the role of cell fusion in tumor progression remains unclear. The pattern of cell fusion and its role under physiological conditions are the basis for our understanding of the pathological role of cell fusion. However, the role of cell fusion in tumors and its functions are complicated. Cell fusion can directly increase tumor heterogeneity by forming polyploids or aneuploidies. Several studies have reported that cell fusion is associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence, drug resistance and the formation of cancer stem cells. Given the diverse roles cell fusion plays in different tumor phenotypes, methods based on targeted cell fusion have been designed to treat tumors. Research on cell fusion in tumors may provide novel ideas for further treatment.
细胞融合参与多种生理过程，如生殖、发育和免疫。尽管肿瘤中的细胞融合在130年前就有报道，但随着肿瘤发生研究的最新进展，它最近引起了极大的关注。然而，细胞融合在肿瘤进展中的作用仍不清楚。细胞融合在生理条件下的模式及其作用是我们理解细胞融合病理作用的基础。然而，细胞融合在肿瘤中的作用及其功能很复杂。细胞融合可通过形成多倍体或非整倍体直接增加肿瘤异质性。几项研究报告称，细胞融合与肿瘤发生、转移、复发、耐药性及癌症干细胞的形成有关。鉴于细胞融合在不同肿瘤表型中发挥的多种作用，基于靶向细胞融合的方法已被设计用于治疗肿瘤。肿瘤细胞融合的研究可能为进一步治疗提供新思路。
