Cancer as an evolutionary and ecological process.
Neoplasms are microcosms of evolution. Within a neoplasm, a mosaic of mutant cells compete for space and resources, evade predation by the immune system and can even cooperate to disperse and colonize new organs. The evolution of neoplastic cells explains both why we get cancer and why it has been so difficult to cure. The tools of evolutionary biology and ecology are providing new insights into neoplastic progression and the clinical control of cancer.
Merlo
Lauren M F
LM
Cellular and Molecular Oncology Program, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Pepper
John W
JW
Reid
Brian J
BJ
Maley
Carlo C
CC
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D040961:Genetic Drift; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D012641:Selection, Genetic