Heterogeneity in cancer cells has been
noted since seminal studies carried out
by the groups of Josh Fidler, Gloria Heppner
and Harry Slocum in the seventies. In recent
years, an increasing appreciation of genetic,
epigenetic and phenotypic heterogeneity in
cancer has renewed interest in the evolutionary
dynamics and selective pressures that
govern tumor initiation and progression.
Nature Biotechnology brought together five
investigators to discuss the current understanding
of tumor heterogeneity and its
implications for diagnostic and therapeutic
approaches in the clinic.
What types of heterogeneity are seen in
cancers?
Kornelia Polyak: You can view cancer
heterogeneity on several levels. There is
genetic heterogeneity—
copy-number
variations or point
mutations and so
on. So that’s at the
level of somatic
cells. Then there is
the issue of heterogeneity
in the germline
background,
not only in the
tumor but also in
the tumor stroma.