Fusion genes in solid tumors: an emerging target for cancer diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Studies over the past decades have uncovered fusion genes, a class of oncogenes that provide immense diagnostic and therapeutic advantages because of their tumor-specific expression. Originally associated with hemotologic cancers, fusion genes have recently been discovered in a wide array of solid tumors, including sarcomas, carcinomas, and tumors of the central nervous system. Fusion genes are attractive as both therapeutic targets and diagnostic tools due to their inherent expression in tumor tissue alone. Therefore, the discovery and elucidation of fusion genes in various cancer types may provide more effective therapies in the future for cancer patients.

Figure 1.. Fusion location in the human body.

Figure 2.. Discovery of fusions coincides with improved DNA sequencing technologies.

The top of the timeline denotes the year in which the particular fusion was discovered. The bottom denotes the year in which DNA sequencing technologies became available. CML, chronic myelogenous leukemia; BL, Burkitt lymphoma; ES, Ewing sarcoma; SS, synovial sarcoma; APL, acute promyelocytic leukemia; ALL, acute lymphocytic leukemia; AML, acute myeloid leukemia; ALCL, anaplastic large cell lymphoma; PRCC, pediatric renal cell carcinoma; ML, myxoid liposarcoma; CF, congenital fibrosarcoma; FTC, follicular thyroid carcinoma; IMT, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor; SBC, secretory breast carcinoma; MC, mucoepidermoid carcinoma; NMC, nut midline carcinoma; PC, prostate cancer; NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer; PA, pilocytic astrocytoma; ACC, adenoid cystic carcinoma; SOC, serous ovarian cancer; GBM, glioblastoma multiforme; BC, bladder cancer; CRC, colorectal cancer.