tumorevolúcióhoz

Tumorevolúció refers to the process of genetic and cellular changes that occur within a tumor over time. Tumors are not static entities; they are dynamic populations of cells that undergo continuous evolution, driven by accumulated mutations. These mutations can arise spontaneously during cell division or be induced by environmental factors like carcinogens. As mutations accumulate, they can confer selective advantages to certain tumor cells, such as increased proliferation rates, resistance to therapy, or the ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant sites.

This evolutionary process can lead to heterogeneity within a tumor, meaning that different cells within the same tumor can have distinct genetic profiles and characteristics. This heterogeneity poses a significant challenge for cancer treatment, as a therapy that is effective against one subpopulation of cells may be ineffective against another. Over time, resistant cell populations can emerge and dominate the tumor, leading to treatment failure and disease progression.

Understanding tumor evolution is crucial for developing more effective cancer therapies. Researchers study tumor evolution by analyzing genetic changes in tumor samples at different stages of the disease and in response to treatment. This knowledge can help identify key drivers of tumor growth and resistance, potentially leading to the development of targeted therapies or combination treatments that can overcome or prevent the emergence of resistant tumor clones. The concept is central to the field of cancer biology and has profound implications for clinical oncology.