Oncogenic resistance to growth-limiting conditions.
Many carcinogens are mutagens, indicating that mutagenesis is the driving force of carcinogenesis. But what if we turn this prevailing view on its head? I will argue here that carcinogens are cytostatic and/or cytotoxic, and it is not mutation per se, but clonal selection for resistance to these antiproliferative conditions, that leads to cancer. But why aren't all cytotoxins carcinogenic?
Blagosklonny
Mikhail V
MV
Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Brander Cancer Research Institute, Hawthorne 10532, USA. M_Blagosklonny@NYMC.EDU
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D002455:Cell Division; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002273:Carcinogens