File(s) under permanent embargo
Cancer adaptations: atavism, de novo selection, or something in between?
journal contribution
posted on 2017-08-01, 00:00 authored by F Thomas, Beata UjvariBeata Ujvari, F Renaud, M VincentFrom an evolutionary perspective, both atavism and somatic evolution/convergent evolution theories can account for the consistent occurrence, and astounding attributes of cancers: being able to evolve from a single cell to a complex organized system, and malignant transformations showing significant similarities across organs, individuals, and species. Here, we first provide an overview of these two hypotheses, including the possibility of them not being mutually exclusive, but rather potentially representing the two extremes of a continuum in which the diversity of cancers can emerge. In reviewing the current literature, we also discuss the criteria that should be applied to discriminate between the two competing theories and to determine their relevant contributions to oncogenesis and cancer progression. Finally, we deliberate on the potential applications of this conceptual framework in developing novel treatment strategies.
History
Journal
BioessaysVolume
39Issue
8Article number
1700039Pagination
1 - 7Publisher
Wiley-BlackwellLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0265-9247eISSN
1521-1878Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2017, Wiley-BlackwellUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC