Contribution of stem cells and differentiated cells to epidermal tumours.
The outer covering of the skin--the epidermis--is subject to sustained environmental assaults. As a result, many cells acquire potentially oncogenic mutations. Most cells are lost through differentiation, and only long-term epidermal residents, such as stem cells, accumulate the number of genetic hits that are necessary for tumour development. So, what genetic and environmental factors determine whether a mutant stem cell forms a tumour and what type of tumour will develop?
Owens
David M
DM
Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Keratinocyte Laboratory, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK.
Watt
Fiona M
FM
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*