Cancer genetics has focused on several mutational events within a tumor cell
for many years. Recently, the study on cancer genetics has been widened by
concentrating on the importance of intercellular communication and epigenetic events
causing tumor progression and development. The translocation of genetic material
betwixt chromosome 14 and other chromosomes may engender the formation of
various types of tumors. Recent studies emphasize that these chief translocations
between two chromosomes may disrupt the genes crucial for controlling cell growth
and cell division. The translocations involving chromosome-14 and other chromosomes
have been found in tumors including acute myeloid Leukemia, acute lymphoblastic
leukemia, acute bilineal leukemia, follicular lymphoma, small cell lung cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma and multiple myeloma. The tumor suppressor
genes, such as ARID4A, ARID4B, BCL11B, BMP4, CCNB1IP1, CEBPE, DICER1,
DLK1, ESR2, FOXN3, HIF1A, MAX, MEG3, NDRG2 and TTF-1/NKX2-1 under
chromosome 14, play a hypercritical role by enhancing cellular differentiation,
migration, proliferation, metastasis, invasion, cellular growth, and development in
several tumors, including breast cancer, pancreatic tumor, osteosarcoma, lung cancer,
endocrine tumor, T-ALL, cystic nephroma, Hodgkin lymphoma, pleuropulmonary
blastomas, Sertoli Leydig ovarian tumors and rhabdomyosarcoma. Chapter 14
meticulously discusses the importance of each predominant gene under chromosome
14 in mediating tumorigenesis. In cancer genetics, these cardinal genes play a crucial
role by acting as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor in several cancers. Thus, targeting
these tumor-causing genes would provide a breakthrough in cancer biology and
oncology when concerned with future perspectives.
Keywords: Burkitt lymphoma, Cellular differentiation, Cystic nephroma, Epigenetic events, Follicular lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Intercellular communication, Oncogene, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Translocations, Tumor suppressor.
