Cancer: A disease at the crossroads of trade-offs

Author(s)
Jacqueline, Camille
Biro, Peter A
Beckmann, Christa
Moller, Anders Pape
Renaud, Francois
Sorci, Gabriele
Tasiemski, Aurelie
Ujvari, Beata
Thomas, Frederic
Publication Date
2017
Abstract
Central to evolutionary theory is the idea that living organisms face phenotypic and/or genetic trade-offs when allocating resources to competing life-history demands, such as growth, survival, and reproduction. These trade-offs are increasingly considered to be crucial to further our understanding of cancer. First, evidences suggest that neoplastic cells, as any living entities subject to natural selection, are governed by trade-offs such as between survival and proliferation. Second, selection might also have shaped trade-offs at the organismal level, especially regarding protective mechanisms against cancer. Cancer can also emerge as a consequence of additional trade-offs in organisms (e.g., eco-immunological trade-offs). Here, we review the wide range of trade-offs that occur at different scales and their relevance for understanding cancer dynamics. We also discuss how acknowledging these phenomena, in light of human evolutionary history, may suggest new guidelines for preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Citation
Evolutionary Applications, 10(3), p. 215-225
ISSN
1752-4571
1752-4563
Link
Language
en
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc
Title
Cancer: A disease at the crossroads of trade-offs
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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