%A Roschke,Anna %A Rozenblum,Ester %D 2013 %J Frontiers in Oncology %C %F %G English %K clonal heterogeneity,W-CIN,adaptive phenotype,Chromosomal Instability,Cancer %Q %R 10.3389/fonc.2013.00302 %W %L %M %P %7 %8 2013-December-11 %9 Review %+ Dr Anna Roschke,National Cancer Institute,Bethesda,United States,roschkea@mail.nih.gov %# %! Cancer chromosomal instability %* %< %T Multi-Layered Cancer Chromosomal Instability Phenotype %U https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2013.00302 %V 3 %0 JOURNAL ARTICLE %@ 2234-943X %X Whole-chromosomal instability (W-CIN) – unequal chromosome distribution during cell division – is a characteristic feature of a majority of cancer cells distinguishing them from their normal counterparts. The precise molecular mechanisms that may cause mis-segregation of chromosomes in tumor cells just recently became more evident. The consequences of W-CIN are numerous and play a critical role in carcinogenesis. W-CIN mediates evolution of cancer cell population under selective pressure and can facilitate the accumulation of genetic changes that promote malignancy. It has both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive effects, and their balance could be beneficial or detrimental for carcinogenesis. The characterization of W-CIN as a complex multi-layered adaptive phenotype highlights the intra- and extracellular adaptations to the consequences of genome reshuffling. It also provides a framework for targeting aggressive chromosomally unstable cancers.