In Vitro Chromosome Translocations: Modeling Critical Drivers of Human Neoplasms

Chromosomal abnormalities are among the most common molecular characteristics of human cancer cells and are believed to play an essential role in the genesis of tumor driver molecules. Chromosome translocations are one of the first recognized tumor-related chromatin alterations; many of them are so typical to certain neoplasms that they are used as diagnostic biomarkers in contemporary clinical histopathology. Understanding their molecular roles in carcinogenesis is essential to the development of novel targeted therapeutics but this has been hindered by the difficulties in establishing appropriate in vitro models. Here, we review the recent advances of the field covering its historical background, medical relevance and most recent technological breakthroughs in chromosomal translocation modeling that may facilitate the innovations of related tumor-agnostic therapeutic modalities.