Evolutionary selection identifies critical immune-relevant genes in lung cancer subtypes.

ABSTRACT: In an evolving population, proliferation is dependent on fitness so that a numerically dominant population typically possesses the most well adapted phenotype. In contrast, the evolutionary "losers" typically disappear from the population so that their genetic record is lost. Historically, cancer research has focused on observed genetic mutations in the dominant tumor cell populations which presumably increase fitness. Negative selection, i.e., removal of deleterious mutations from a population, is not observable but can provide critical information regarding genes involved in essential cellular processes. Similar to immunoediting, "evolutionary triage" eliminates mutations in tumor cells that increase susceptibility to the host immune response while mutations that shield them from immune

SUBMITTER: Luddy KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9451599 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature