Genetic heterogeneity and clonal evolution during metastasis in breast cancer patient-derived tumor xenograft models.

ABSTRACT: Genetic heterogeneity within a tumor arises by clonal evolution, and patients with highly heterogeneous tumors are more likely to be resistant to therapy and have reduced survival. Clonal evolution also occurs when a subset of cells leave the primary tumor to form metastases, which leads to reduced genetic heterogeneity at the metastatic site. Although this process has been observed in human cancer, experimental models which recapitulate this process are lacking. Patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDX) have been shown to recapitulate the patient's original tumor's intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity, as well as its genomics and response to treatment, but whether they can be used to model clonal evolution in the metastatic process is currently unknown. Here, we address this question by followi

SUBMITTER: Sprouffske K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7026725 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature