Chromosome 14

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.