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Colorectal cancer

Elucidating the genetic and epigenetic evolution and phenotypic plasticity of colorectal tumours

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 20, page 3 (2023)Cite this article

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Two new studies published in Nature explore the genetic and epigenetic evolution and phenotypic plasticity of colorectal cancer (CRC). The first study, by Heide et al., examines at single-clone resolution the co-evolution of the genome and epigenome of primary CRCs. The researchers collected 1,370 samples, and spatially resolved multi-omics analysis found positive selection for DNA mutations in chromatin modifier genes and for recurrent somatic chromatin accessibility alterations. Additional observations implicated developmental genes in tumorigenesis. Further analysis of mutational signatures established that the epigenome affects DNA mutation accumulation. The second study, by Househam et al., used spatially resolved paired whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing to explore the role of genetic control in primary CRC. The results suggest that intratumour genetic variation infrequently impacts gene expression traits in CRC and that phenotypic plasticity is widespread.

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  1. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology http://www.nature.com/nrgastro/

    Jordan Hindson

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  1. Jordan Hindson
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Correspondence to Jordan Hindson.

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Hindson, J. Elucidating the genetic and epigenetic evolution and phenotypic plasticity of colorectal tumours. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 20, 3 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-022-00721-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-022-00721-8

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