The Germline Genetics of Tumour Suppression and Cancer Management

Heterogeneity in cancer exists at multiple levels from between cancers of different tissues, between patients with the same histological tumour type and within a single tumour mass. This heterogeneity underpins the variability in response of patients to therapies and plays an important role in cancer reoccurrence and relapse. New frameworks for managing cancer heterogeneity are urgently required in order to meet the growing incidence of cancer and to maintain the downwards trajectory of cancer mortality rates. In this seminar, we will explore the potential for germline genetic variants to inform the management of cancer heterogeneity, exemplified by our work on the germline genetics of p53 tumour suppression.