title: Tetraploidy, aneuploidy and cancer.
abstract: Aneuploidy is one of the most obvious differences between normal and cancer cells. However, there remains debate over how aneuploid cells arise and whether or not they are a cause or consequence of tumorigenesis. One proposed route to aneuploid cancer cells is through an unstable tetraploid intermediate. Supporting this idea, recent studies demonstrate that tetraploidy promotes chromosomal aberrations and tumorigenesis in vivo. These tetraploid cells can arise by a variety of mechanisms, including mitotic slippage, cytokinesis failure, and viral-induced cell fusion. Furthermore, new studies suggest that there might not be a ploidy-sensing checkpoint that permanently blocks the proliferation of tetraploid cells. Therefore, abnormal division of tetraploid cells might facilitate genetic changes that lead to aneuploid cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Neil J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Ganem
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Storchova
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pellman
mesh_terms: D000782:Aneuploidy; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004261:DNA Replication; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011123:Polyploidy; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53