title: Life history trade-offs in cancer evolution.
abstract: Somatic evolution during cancer progression and therapy results in tumour cells that show a wide range of phenotypes, which include rapid proliferation and quiescence. Evolutionary life history theory may help us to understand the diversity of these phenotypes. Fast life history organisms reproduce rapidly, whereas those with slow life histories show less fecundity and invest more resources in survival. Life history theory also provides an evolutionary framework for phenotypic plasticity, which has potential implications for understanding 'cancer stem cells'. Life history theory suggests that different therapy dosing schedules might select for fast or slow life history cell phenotypes, with important clinical consequences.
authors.affiliation: 1] Center for Evolution and Cancer and the Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, BOX 1351, San Francisco, California 94143-1351, USA. [2] Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, PO Box 871104, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1104, USA.
authors.forename: C Athena
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Aktipis
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Boddy
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gatenby
authors.forename: Joel S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Carlo C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Maley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D010641:Phenotype; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment