The prenatal origins of cancer

Nat Rev Cancer. 2014 Apr;14(4):277-89. doi: 10.1038/nrc3679. Epub 2014 Mar 6.

Abstract

The concept that some childhood malignancies arise from postnatally persistent embryonal cells has a long history. Recent research has strengthened the links between driver mutations and embryonal and early postnatal development. This evidence, coupled with much greater detail on the cell of origin and the initial steps in embryonal cancer initiation, has identified important therapeutic targets and provided renewed interest in strategies for the early detection and prevention of childhood cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Child
  • Down Syndrome / etiology
  • Down Syndrome / pathology
  • Embryo, Mammalian / pathology
  • Female
  • Genomic Instability
  • Humans
  • Medulloblastoma / etiology*
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology
  • Mutation
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders / etiology
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders / pathology
  • Neural Crest / pathology
  • Neuroblastoma / etiology*
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology
  • Pregnancy

Supplementary concepts

  • Transient Myeloproliferative Disorder of Down Syndrome