Mosaicism, aging and cancer

Abstract

Purpose of review 

Genetic mosaicism is the presence of a somatic mutation in a subset of cells that differs from the inherited germline genome. Detectable genetic mosaicism is attractive as a potential early biomarker for cancer risk because of its established relationship with aging, introduction of potentially deleterious mutations, and clonal selection and expansion of mutated cells. The aim of this review is to survey shared risk factors associated with genetic mosaicism, aging and cancer risk.

Recent findings 

Studies have associated aging, cigarette smoking and several genetic susceptibility loci with increased risk of acquiring genetic mosaicism. Genetic mosaicism has also been associated with numerous outcomes including cancer risk and cancer mortality; however, the level of evidence supporting these associations varies considerably.

Summary 

Ample evidence exists for shared risk factors for genetic mosaicism and cancer risk as well as abundant support linking genetic mosaicism in leukocytes to hematologic malignancies. The relationship between genetic mosaicism in circulating leukocytes and solid malignancies remains an active area of research.