e-journal

Evolutionary perspective of cancer: myth, metaphors, and reality

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The evolutionary perspective of cancer (which origins and dynamics result from evolutionary processes) has gained significant international recognition over the past decade and generated a wave of enthusiasm among researchers. In this context, several authors proposed that insights into evolutionary and adaptation dynamics of cancers can be gained by studying the evolutionary strategies of organisms. Although this reasoning is fundamentally correct, in our opinion, it contains a potential risk of excessive adaptationism, potentially leading to the suggestion of complex adaptations that are unlikely to evolve among cancerous cells. For example, the ability of recognizing related conspecifics and adjusting accordingly behaviors as in certain free-living species appears unlikely in cancer. Indeed, despite their rapid evolutionary rate, malignant cells are under selective pressures for their altered lifestyle for only few decades. In addition, even though cancer cells can theoretically display highly sophisticated adaptive responses, it would be crucial to determine the frequency of their occurrence in patients with cancer, before therapeutic applications can be considered. Scientists who try to explain oncogenesis will need in the future to critically evaluate the metaphorical comparison of selective processes affecting cancerous cells with those affecting organisms. This approach seems essential for the applications of evolutionary biology to understand the origin of cancers, with prophylactic and therapeutic applications.

Keywords: adaptationism, cancer, evolutionary processes

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Ketersediaan

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Informasi Detail

Judul Seri

Evolutionary Applications

No. Panggil

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Penerbit

New York : John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.., 2015

Deskripsi Fisik

Evolutionary Applications; 8 (2015) 541–544

Bahasa

English

ISBN/ISSN

1752-4571

Klasifikasi

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Tipe Isi

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Tipe Media

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Tipe Pembawa

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Edisi

8 (2015)

Subjek

BIOLOGI

Info Detail Spesifik

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Pernyataan Tanggungjawab

agus

Versi lain/terkait

Lampiran Berkas

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