The Phenotype Landscape of Cancer in the Genotype Era

Abstract

Some tumor types such as testicular cancer, leukemia and lymphomas,
have their origin in cells that comport a common embryonic
origin. This phenomenon was “unconsciously” the roadmap
to treat and cure them by classic chemotherapy. The cells are
very chemosensitive indeed as they are “immature” in origin.
Chemotherapy has also positively impacted the overall
survival of some pediatric and adolescent cancers (leukemias,
lymphomas, bone tumors) and in many other adult ones such
as breast, ovarian, head and neck and colorectal cancers. Despite
everything, we also face other difficult to treat cancers which remain
chemo resistant (lung, melanomas, pancreatic, biliary tract
cancers as the most representative ones.