Neochromosomes are a little-studied class of chromosome-scale mutations that drive some cancers. By sequencing isolated neochromosomes from liposarcomas, we recently defined their structure at single-nucleotide resolution and proposed a model for their life history. Here, we summarize that work, highlighting significant aspects and providing historical context and insight into the discovery process.
Keywords: breakage-fusionbridge mechanism; cancer evolution; chromothripsis; computational modelling; liposarcoma; neochromosome.