Open AccessThe mutation rate and cancer
Author(s) -
Ian Tomlinson,
Marco Novelli,
W F Bodmer
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.93.25.14800
Subject(s) - carcinogenesis , mutation rate , mutation , biology , genetics , phenotype , selection (genetic algorithm) , cancer , germline mutation , population , somatic cell , cancer research , gene , medicine , environmental health , artificial intelligence , computer science
The selection of advantageous mutations underlies tumorigenesis. The growth of a tumor is therefore a form of evolution at the somatic level, in which the population is comprised of individual cells within the tumor. Models of tumorigenesis have considered the relative importance of mutation and selection. We show that selection is more important than an increased mutation rate in the growth of a tumor. Some cancers may acquire a "mutator phenotype," probably leading to faster growth, but mutator phenotypes are not necessary for carcinogenesis.