A somatic mutation is a change in the DNA of a body cell that happens during a person's lifetime, rather than being inherited from a parent. These mutations are passed only to cells that descend from the altered cell, not to a person's children. When they occur in genes that control growth, they can start or drive cancer.
Origin
From the Greek soma, meaning "body," contrasted with the germline (reproductive) cells that pass traits to offspring. The distinction between somatic and inherited mutations was established in genetics through the 20th century as the molecular basis of cancer became understood.
Significance in Asbestos Context
Mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers arise from somatic mutations that asbestos fibers help cause, not from inherited defects. Fibers lodged in tissue trigger chronic inflammation and physically damage dividing cells, producing DNA changes and losses in genes such as BAP1, NF2, and CDKN2A. Because these mutations are acquired from exposure rather than inherited, they support the link between a patient's asbestos history and their disease. When defendants point to genetics, understanding that most driver mutations here are somatic and exposure-related helps counter arguments that a cancer was purely "bad luck" or inherited.
Example Sentence
The pathologist explained that the tumor's somatic mutations in BAP1 and CDKN2A were consistent with asbestos-driven damage rather than an inherited cancer syndrome.
Related Terms
BAP1, Genotoxicity, Mechanism of Carcinogenesis, Germline Mutation, Chromosomal Deletion, Mesothelioma
Notes
- Ask whether tumor molecular testing (next-generation sequencing) was done; results can document somatic changes relevant to both treatment and causation.
- A separate germline BAP1 test can distinguish inherited susceptibility from acquired mutations; discuss it with an oncologist or genetic counselor.
- Preserve pathology blocks and molecular reports; they may be re-examined by experts.
In the research library
63 studies in our medical research library mention Somatic Mutation in the title or abstract. Among the most cited:
- The nuclear deubiquitinase BAP1 is commonly inactivated by somatic mutations and 3p21.1 losses in malignant pleural mesotheliomaM. Bott, M. Brevet, B.S. Taylor, et al, 2011 · Nature Genetics · cited 564 times
- Phase 2 Study of Olaparib in Malignant Mesothelioma and Correlation of Efficacy With Germline or Somatic Mutations in BAP1 GeneA. Ghafoor, I. Mian, C. Wagner, et al, 2021 · JTO Clinical and Research Reports · cited 59 times
- How asbestos drives the tissue towards tumors: YAP activation, macrophage and mesothelial precursor recruitment, RNA editing, and somatic mutationsH. Rehrauer, L. Wu, W. Blum, et al, 2018 · Oncogene · cited 52 times
- A Prospective Phase II Single-arm Study of Niraparib Plus Dostarlimab in Patients With Advanced Non-small-cell Lung Cancer and/or Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Positive for PD-L1 Expression and Germline or Somatic Mutations in the DNA Repair Genes: Rationale and Study DesignF. Passiglia, P. Bironzo, L. Righi, et al, 2021 · Clinical Lung Cancer · cited 24 times
- First somatic mutation of E2F1 in a critical DNA binding residue discovered in well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneumW. Yu, W. Chan-On, M. Teo, et al, 2011 · Genome Biology · cited 20 times
The journals that publish most on it: Cancers (5), BMC Cancer (3), Pathology International (3).
Category: Genetics & Oncology · All Lexicon terms A–Z
This page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every asbestos case turns on its own facts, exposure history, diagnosis, deadlines, available evidence, and applicable law. Reviewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, call 833-4-ASBESTOS for a free case review.