MYC is a metastasis gene for non-small-cell lung cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Metastasis is a process by which cancer cells learn to form satellite tumors in distant organs and represents the principle cause of death of patients with solid tumors. NSCLC is the most lethal human cancer due to its high rate of metastasis.

Methodology/principal findings

Lack of a suitable animal model has so far hampered analysis of metastatic progression. We have examined c-MYC for its ability to induce metastasis in a C-RAF-driven mouse model for non-small-cell lung cancer. c-MYC alone induced frank tumor growth only after long latency at which time secondary mutations in K-Ras or LKB1 were detected reminiscent of human NSCLC. Combination with C-RAF led to immediate acceleration of tumor growth, conversion to papillary epithelial cells and angiogenic switch

SUBMITTER: Rapp UR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2696940 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature