Understanding the Cause and Consequence of Tumor Heterogeneity

Abstract

Tumor heterogeneity is a large conundrum in cancer medicine, making most therapeutic interventions palliative rather than curative. Here we discuss the implications of how molecularly targeted therapies in solid malignancies that promote limited cancer cell death may in fact make tumors more heterogeneous, increase aggressive phenotypes, and thus worsen patient outcomes.

Keywords: biodiversity; cell death; heterogeneity; tumor evolution.