Chromosomal instability: a composite phenotype that influences sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is defined as continual gain or loss of whole chromosomes or fractions of chromosomes and is a major cause of the genomic instability that characterizes most solid tumors. CIN is associated with intrinsic resistance to taxanes, acquired multidrug resistance and poor prognosis in many solid tumors, although recent evidence has shown that platinum agents, such as carboplatin, may specifically target CIN cancers.