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Cancer research

Genetic Evolution in Cancer During Metastasis Revealed

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

New research from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has made significant findings on genetic evolution in cancer during metastasis, providing new insights into the progression of the disease. According to the study, tumors accumulate copy number alterations (CNAs) to a much greater degree than mutations during distant metastasis. The researchers analyzed genomic profiles of 3,732 cancer patients who underwent longitudinal biopsies, revealing that CNAs, whole genome duplication, and loss of 9p (including CDKN2A) were common events during metastasis. The study suggests that CNA, rather than mutational accumulation, is enriched during cancer metastasis, which may be due to a more favorable balance of enhanced cellular fitness versus immunogenicity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers analyzed genomic profiles of 3,732 cancer patients who underwent longitudinal biopsies to understand genetic evolution in cancer during metastasis.
  • Tumors were observed to accumulate copy number alterations (CNAs) to a much greater degree than mutations during distant metastasis.
  • CNAs, whole genome duplication, and loss of 9p (including CDKN2A) were common events during metastasis in the studied population.
  • The study suggests that CNA, rather than mutational accumulation, is enriched during cancer metastasis, which may be due to a more favorable balance of enhanced cellular fitness versus immunogenicity.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and is published in the journal Nature Genetics.
  • The study has significant implications for understanding the progression of cancer and developing targeted therapies.
  • The researchers were funded by multiple organizations, including the United States Department of Defense, Geoffrey Beene Cancer Research Center, and NIH National Cancer Institute (NCI).
  • The study highlights the importance of longitudinal and multisite sampling in revealing mutational and copy number evolution in tumors during metastatic dissemination.

Statistics:

  • 3,732 cancer patients were analyzed in the study.
  • Tumors accumulated 28% whole genome duplication during metastasis.
  • 11% of patients developed loss of 9p (including CDKN2A) during metastasis.
  • Increasing CNA was associated with immune evasion in patients treated with immunotherapy.
  • 28% of patients developed de novo whole genome duplication during metastasis.

Sources:

  • Longitudinal and Multisite Sampling Reveals Mutational and Copy Number Evolution In Tumors During Metastatic Dissemination, 2025, Nature Genetics.
  • Research supported by United States Department of Defense, Geoffrey Beene Cancer Research Center, Cycle for Survival: Team Fearless4Jen, Jayme Flowers Fund, Larry De Shon Fund, The Raquel and Riccardo Di Capua Fund, Weill Cornell CTSC Grant, Area of Concentration Program at Weill Cornell Medical College, NIH National Cancer Institute (NCI).
  • Luc G. T. Morris, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dept. of Surgery, Lab Expt Canc Immunogen, New York, NY 10065, United States.

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