Possible relationship between the somatic mutations and the formation of cancers

UCL, London, WC1E 6BT, the UK

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most life-threatening diseases and has been studied for more than 3 thousand years (earliest records of cancer research is 1500BC). But there are still insufficient number of efficient treatments for cancer. This is a review started with introducing the cancer and somatic mutations by explaining the hallmarks of cancer, followed by, the discussion of few types of mutations, which may be potential targets regarding to the therapeutic treatments. Also, some potential targets related to those mutations are listed, such as, pRb proteins with its two subunits (p130 and p107), reverse transcriptase telomerase (TERT), shelterin complex and so on. The statement “cancer is caused by accumulation of somatic mutations” can be supported by the positive correlation between cancer and age. In addition, some mutations, which have contribution on increasing mutation frequencies, has been proved to be the factors of cancer. For example, xeroderma pigmentosum, mutations on DNA MMR rep air and BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. This overview of the relationship between cancer and those somatic mutations, which may provide potentials for further cancer treatments.