Intestinal Tumorigenesis Initiated by Dedifferentiation and Acquisition of Stem-Cell-like Properties

Florian Greten and colleagues explain why enhanced Wnt signaling causes postmitotic (non-stem) cells to dedifferentiate and reacquire stem cell characteristics, enabling the cells to initiate tumorigenesis. Reprogramming can occur in the context of carcinogenesis and may comprise an important mechanism for tumor initiation.