Centrosome amplification in cancer and cancer-associated human diseases

Accumulated evidence from genetically modified cell and animal models indicates that centrosome amplification (CA) can initiate tumorigenesis with metastatic potential and enhance cell invasion. Multiple human diseases are associated with CA and carcinogenesis as well as metastasis, including infection with oncogenic viruses, type 2 diabetes, toxicosis by environmental pollution and inflammatory disease. In this review, we summarize (1) the evidence for the roles of CA in tumorigenesis and tumor cell invasion; (2) the association between diseases and carcinogenesis as well as metastasis; (3) the current knowledge of CA in the diseases; and (4) the signaling pathways of CA. We then give our own thinking and discuss perspectives relevant to CA in carcinogenesis and cancer metastasis in human diseases. In conclusion, investigations in this area might not only identify CA as a biological link between these diseases and the development of cancer but also prove the causal role of CA in cancer and progression under pathophysiological conditions, potentially taking cancer research into a new era. •Hightlights that centrosome amplification is a biological link between the diseases and the development of cancer.•Highlights that centrosome can play a causing role in tumorigenesis and metastasis under pathophysiological conditions.•Highlights that the studies in this area would unveil signal transduction pathways of centrosome amplification.•Highlights that many human diseases that are associated with both centrosome amplification and cancer as well as metastasis.