New paradigms in clonal evolution: punctuated equilibrium in cancer.
Evolutionary theories are themselves subject to evolution. Clonal evolution - the model that describes the initiation and progression of cancer - is entering a period of profound change, brought about largely by technological developments in genome analysis. A flurry of recent publications, using modern mathematical and bioinformatics techniques, have revealed both punctuated and neutral evolution phenomena that are poorly explained by the conventional graduated perspectives. In this review, we propose that a hybrid model, inspired by the evolutionary model of punctuated equilibrium, could better explain these recent observations. We also discuss the conceptual changes and clinical implications of variable evolutionary tempos. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, EC1 2 AD, UK. w.c.h.cross@qmul.ac.uk.
William Ch
WCh
Cross
Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, EC1 2 AD, UK.
Trevor A
0000-0001-9582-1597
TA
Graham
Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, EC1 2 AD, UK.
Nicholas A
NA
Wright
D060965:Clonal Evolution; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
Big Bang; cancer; clonal evolution; colorectal cancer; gradualism; punctuated equilibrium