Cancer: the evolved of a destabilized consequence genome

The genome is a stable repository of vastly intricate genetic information d eveloped over eons of evolution; this information is replicated at the high est fidelity and expressed within each cell at the highest selectivity. Non -leukemia cancers break this standard; the intricate genetic information qu alitatively and progressively deteriorates, resulting in a somatic Darwinia n free-for-all. In a process lasting several years, a genomically heterogen eous population replicates from a single cell that originally lost the abil ity to preserve its genomic integrity. Cells selected for their abilities t o proliferate and spread, while evading host defenses, inexorably expand th eir numbers. The clinical consequences of this become severe, as the genomi cally diverse cell population that evolves contains members that can evade most therapeutic approaches aimed at "the tumor cell". BioEssays 23:1037-10 46, 2001. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.