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The molecular programme of tumour reversion: the steps beyond malignant transformation

Nature Reviews Cancer volume 9, pages 206–216 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

How cells become malignant has preoccupied scientists for over a century. However, the converse question is also valid: are tumour cells capable of reverting from their malignant state? Askanazy's studies in 1907 indicated that teratoma cells could differentiate into normal somatic tissues and current evidence indicates that some tumour cells have acquired the molecular circuitry that results in the negation of chromosomal instability, translocations, oncogene activation and loss of tumour suppressor genes. Studying these extremely rare events of tumour reversion and deciphering these pathways, which involve SIAH1, presenilin 1, TSAP6 and translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP), could lead to new avenues in cancer treatment.

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Figure 1: Theoretical models of tumour reversion.
Figure 2: Biological models of tumour reversion.
Figure 3: Molecular pathways of tumour reversion.
Figure 4: Translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) is a multifunctional protein.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the students, postdoctoral researchers and scientists who have worked in our laboratory and, especially for their contribution, M. Tuynder, L. Susini, G. Fiucci, A. Lespagnol, D. Duflaut, S. Prieur, S. Besse, F. Lethrosne and M. Nemani; our colleagues M. Lassalle, M. Vidal, J.-C. Marine, J.-C. Martinou, J. Cavarelli, F. Checler, B. Goud, F. Dautry, L. Degos, F. Calvo, F. Sigaux, J. Hoebeke, P. Hainaut, J.-F. Mouscadet, A. Bentley and C. Auclair; and our mentors M. Oren, J. Schlessinger, J. Dausset, G. Charpak, G. Schnek, M. Van Montagu, D. Cohen, D. Moras, A. Levine, R. Weinberg, F. McCormick, P. Chambon and S. Brenner. A.T. and R.A. are supported by Conticanet, Network of excellence of the European Union.

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  1. Adam Telerman and Robert Amson are at the LBPA, UMR 8113, École Normale Supérieure, 61 Avenue du Président Wilson, 94235 Cachan, France. adam.telerman@lbpa.ens-cachan.fr; telerman@noos.fr,

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National Cancer Institute Drug Dictionary

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promethazine

sertraline

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Tumour reversion

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Telerman, A., Amson, R. The molecular programme of tumour reversion: the steps beyond malignant transformation. Nat Rev Cancer 9, 206–216 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc2589

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