Genome Doubling Identified as Common Event in Metastatic Cancer Evolution

Genome doubling identified as common event in metastatic cancer evolution

When cancer spreads from a primary tumor to new sites throughout the body, it undergoes changes that increase its genetic complexity.

Genome doubling emerges as key event in cancer metastasis, shaping tumor evolution

When cancer spreads from a primary tumor to new sites throughout the body, it undergoes changes that increase its genetic complexity.

Evolution of Cancer Genomes During Metastasis

Research on cancer metastasis uncovers genetic complexities, showing that copy-number alterations play a key role in tumor evolution and treatment resistance.

Metastatic Tumors Favor Genome Doubling Over Mutations, Driving Resistance

A study published today in Nature Genetics has revealed that tumor metastases accumulate copy number alterations (CNAs) such as genome doubling rather than genetic mutations. The CNAs can help metastases evade the immune system and resist immunotherapy. These findings could assist clinicians in making better decisions around the choice of precision medicine treatments, especially immunotherapy drugs such as checkpoint inhibitors.   “Our study fo…