Developmental Oncology

A variety of cancers affect children and young adults, including leukemias, sarcomas, and tumors of the nervous system. These are caused by errors that occur during development and arise in specific populations of cells that accumulate somatic mutations in early life.

Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine provides a comprehensive review of our understanding of cancers that occur during childhood and in young adults, the mechanisms underlying their appearance, and current and future treatment strategies. Recent discoveries show these young-onset cancers are fundamentally developmental in origin. The contributors review how developmental processes in the growing body generate cell states that are susceptible to tumorigenesis in particular types of cells. They discuss the bases for genetic predisposition, endogenous and exogenous somatic mutational processes, epigenetic regulation, and the influence of the immune and tissue microenvironments.

In addition, the authors examine the multiple therapeutic approaches used to target young-onset cancers, such as combination treatments and immunologic, metabolic, and cellular therapies. Cancer surveillance is also covered, as well as the unique challenges of pediatric cancer drug development. The volume will therefore be an essential reference for cancer biologists, practicing oncologists, and those interested in how we can drive progress in cancer treatment.