Cancer and ageing: convergent and divergent mechanisms.
Cancer and ageing are both fuelled by the accumulation of cellular damage. Consequently, those mechanisms that protect cells from damage simultaneously provide protection against cancer and ageing. By contrast, cancer and longevity require a durable cell proliferation potential and, therefore, those mechanisms that limit indefinite proliferation provide cancer protection but favour ageing. The overall balance between these convergent and divergent mechanisms guarantees fitness and a cancer-free life until late adulthood for most individuals.
Serrano
Manuel
M
Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 3 Melchor Fernandez Almagro Street, Madrid E-28029, Spain. mserrano@cnio.es
Blasco
Maria A
MA
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000502:physiology
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53