title: Molecular biology of testicular germ cell tumors: unique features awaiting clinical application.
abstract: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common solid tumors in young adult men characterized by distinct biologic features and clinical behavior. Both genetic predispositions and environmental factors probably play a substantial role in their etiology. TGTCs arise from a malignant transformation of primordial germ cells in a process that starts prenatally, is often associated with a certain degree of gonadal dysgenesis, and involves the acquirement of several specific aberrations, including activation of SCF-CKIT, amplification of 12p with up-regulation of stem cell genes, and subsequent genetic and epigenetic alterations. Their embryonic and germ origin determines the unique sensitivity of TGCTs to platinum-based chemotherapy. Contrary to the vast majority of other malignancies, no molecular prognostic/predictive factors nor targeted therapy is available for patients with these tumors. This review summarizes the principal molecular characteristics of TGCTs that could represent a potential basis for development of novel diagnostic and treatment approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital in Motol, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Oncology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. Electronic address: ludmila.boublikova@lfmotol.cuni.cz.
authors.forename: Ludmila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boublikova
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buchler
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital in Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stary
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jitka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abrahamova
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital in Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trka
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
keywords: Chemotherapy resistance; Etiopathogenesis; Molecular aberration; Prognostic factor; Stem cell genes; Testicular germ cell tumor; p53