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Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...

The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

An In Vitro System to Study Tumor Dormancy and the Switch to Metastatic Growth

An In Vitro System to Study Tumor Dormancy and the Switch to Metastatic Growth

Published on: August 11, 2011

[Hypoxic microenvironment and cancer dormancy].

Hiroaki Okuyama¹, Masahiro Inoue

¹Department of Biochemistry, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka, Japan.

Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer & Chemotherapy

|October 15, 2011

Summary

Hypoxia in solid tumors causes cancer cells to enter a dormant state, differing from their in vitro behavior. Targeting these dormant cells is crucial for overcoming treatment resistance and preventing cancer recurrence.

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An In Vitro System to Study Tumor Dormancy and the Switch to Metastatic Growth

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Published on: August 11, 2011

Anaerobic Growth and Maintenance of Mammalian Cell Lines

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A Time-lapse, Label-free, Quantitative Phase Imaging Study of Dormant and Active Human Cancer Cells

A Time-lapse, Label-free, Quantitative Phase Imaging Study of Dormant and Active Human Cancer Cells

Published on: February 16, 2018

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cancer Biology
Tumor Microenvironment

Context:

Solid tumors exhibit a heterogeneous microenvironment where hypoxia is linked to cancer malignancy.
Hypoxic conditions significantly alter cancer cell behavior compared to normoxic environments.
The in vivo hypoxic response of cancer cells differs from in vitro observations.

Purpose:

To review the characteristics of cancer cells within hypoxic tumor regions.
To highlight the distinct in vivo versus in vitro responses of cancer cells to hypoxia.
To emphasize the role of cellular dormancy in cancer survival and treatment resistance.

Summary:

Hypoxia downregulates MYC expression, suppressing cancer cell proliferation and metabolism, leading to cellular dormancy.
Dual oxygen and glucose deficiency in vitro mimics the dormancy observed in hypoxic regions.
Cancer cells in hypoxic areas become dormant, a critical survival mechanism beyond proliferation.

Impact:

Dormant cancer cells exhibit resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, contributing to recurrence and metastasis.
Understanding and targeting dormant cancer cells in hypoxic regions is essential for improving patient outcomes.
This knowledge is vital for developing novel therapeutic strategies against aggressive cancers.