The mini-driver model of polygenic cancer evolution.

Journal article

Much of cancer genetics research has focused on the identification of the most-important somatic mutations ('major drivers') that cause tumour growth. However, many mutations found in cancer might not be major drivers or 'passenger' mutations, but instead might have relatively weak tumour-promoting effects. Our aim is to highlight the existence of these mutations (termed 'mini drivers' herein), as multiple mini-driver mutations might substitute for a major-driver change, especially in the presence of genomic instability or high mutagen exposure. The mini-driver model has clinical implications: for example, the effects of therapeutically targeting such genes may be limited. However, the main importance of the model lies in helping to provide a complete understanding of tumorigenesis, especially as we anticipate that an increasing number of mini-driver mutations will be found by cancer genome sequencing.

Authors: Castro-Giner, F; Ratcliffe, P; Tomlinson, I

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Journal: Nature reviews. Cancer
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 680-685
• Publication date: 2015-11-01
• DOI: 10.1038/nrc3999
• EISSN: 1474-1768
• ISSN: 1474-175X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Neoplasm Proteins; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Mutation; Evolution, Molecular; Humans; Neoplasms