chromosomal instability
Also written as: CIN — chromosomal instability
A cellular phenotype characterized by ongoing acquisition of chromosome-level alterations during cell division.
Full Definition
A hallmark of cancer characterized by persistent changes in chromosome number and structure through aberrant cell division processes. This instability manifests as aneuploidy, chromosomal rearrangements, and copy number alterations that accumulate over time. Chromosomal instability can result from defects in DNA damage checkpoints, centrosome dysfunction, or telomere dysfunction. While it contributes to tumor progression, it may also create therapeutic vulnerabilities through synthetic lethality approaches.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from specific instances of aneuploidy; CIN refers to the ongoing process.
In Context
- "The tumor exhibited high chromosomal instability with frequent copy number alterations across multiple chromosomes." — Genomic characterization study
- "Chromosomal instability scores correlated with platinum sensitivity in ovarian cancer patients." — Biomarker validation study