Tracing the Cellular Origin of Cancer

The document reviews the use of mouse genetic lineage-tracing experiments to identify the cellular origin of various solid tumors, which are analogs for human cancers. It explains that cancer is an evolutionary process where somatic mutations accumulate in cells, leading to uncontrolled proliferation, with most human cancers originating in epithelial tissues. The review provides examples of how different cancers, such as skin, brain, gut, lung, prostate, and breast cancers, can originate from specific cell types and mutations. For instance, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in skin cancer have been traced back to different epidermal cell lineages. It also discusses the role of the cellular microenvironment and cell fate in tumor initiation. The document concludes that understanding the cellular origins of cancer is vital for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies.