In most cases it is reported that copy number alteration of genes drive cancer development but it is also quite a fact that CNA increase the chance of survival of the organism under the imposed selection. In such case what can we deduce ? CNA drives cancer or vice versa ?
Both could be true. CNAs that provide advantage to cells with respect to cell growth and survival are selected, resulting in cancer. Relatively relaxed genomic surveillance in cancer cells could lead to CNAs and their further selection.
In literature we have cases of CNA inducing cancer and of cancer that increases CNA. In your case, I think that cancer cells have increased CNA and this is definely a great advantage to this cells to grow.
Both could be true. CNAs that provide advantage to cells with respect to cell growth and survival are selected, resulting in cancer. Relatively relaxed genomic surveillance in cancer cells could lead to CNAs and their further selection.
We contently see numerous mutations and copy number alterations. But not all the alterations mean the same. Some of the genetic alterations related the carcinogenesis of a tumor but some others may only represent the event of gene instability. Most of the genetic alterations results in the inactivation of tumor suppressor gene or activate oncogene to give the cells growth advantage. But copy number change does not always lead to an over expression due to the expression mechanism is still controlled by original pathway. I believe if the genetic alteration enhance the growth advantage of the cells it can be viewed as tumor related otherwise it only a random change. That is why the clinical utility of next generation sequencing is limited so far. I read an article that NGS found over 80 mutations in a single tumor. No one knows what were the relationship between the mutation and the carcinogenesis process. I believe that most of the copy number changes are happened after carcinogenesis. Some give the cells growth advantage but some are not.
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