Cancer is a heterogeneous disorder with invasive and metastatic potential. It
is a deadly disorder affecting 1 in 6 people worldwide. Hence, it is important to
eliminate the disease. Genetic alterations remain an underlying cause of cancer, and
several gene mutations were involved in causing different types of cancer. Recently,
researchers have been investigating the role of genetic mutations in causing cancer. For
this reason, the genes associated with chromosome 16 were investigated for their role
in causing cancer. This study revealed 70 genes associated with cancer. Of which, the
cadherin genes (CDH11, CDH13, and CDH1), AXIN-1, ANKRD11, BANP, CYLD,
CBFA2T3, IR8, MVP, MT1F, NQO1 and PYCARD was the tumor suppressor, and the
gene MSLN is the potential oncogene. CBFB and MYH11 are well-known fusion genes
associated with this chromosome. Loss of heterogeneity was noted in the q arm of this
chromosome. The chromosome translocations, t (16;16) (16) (p13q22), t (16;21) (21)
(p11;q22), t (12;16) (q13; p13; p11), t(16;21) (p11;q22) and t(7;16) (q33; p11) led to
the development of acute myeloid leukemia, leukemia, and sarcoma. Several other
genes associated with chromosome 16 responsible for cancer initiation and
proliferation are summarized in this chapter. A novel insight into the genetic
biomarkers and therapeutic targets has been provided to develop potential therapeutic
strategies against cancer.
Keywords: ABC superfamily, Biomarker, Cancer, Chromosome 16, Genes, Loss of Heterogeneity, Oncogene, Proto-Oncogene, Therapeutic Target, Translocation, Tumor, Tumor Suppressor.
