Oncogene-induced senescence is a cellular response that may be crucial for protection against cancer development^{1, 2}, but its investigation has so far been restricted to cultured cells that have been manipulated to overexpress an oncogene. Here we analyse tumours initiated by an endogenous oncogene, ras, and show that senescent cells exist in premalignant tumours but not in malignant ones. Senescence is therefore a defining feature of premalignant tumours that could prove valuable in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.

1. Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
2. MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College, Hammersmith, London W12 0NN, UK
3. Spanish National Centre of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain
4. Department of Animal Surgery and Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid 28040, Spain
5. Centre for Cutaneous Research, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, London E1 2AT, UK

Correspondence to: Manuel Serrano¹ Email: mserrano@cnio.es

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