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Related Concept Videos

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

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 Cells02:53

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,...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...

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Updated: May 14, 2026

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from Mouse Mammary Tumors as Tools for Molecular and Computational Studies
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Evolutionary foundations for cancer biology.

C Athena Aktipis1, Randolph M Nesse

  • 1Center for Evolution and Cancer, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA ; Department of Psychology, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA.

Evolutionary Applications
|February 12, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Evolutionary biology is revolutionizing cancer research by explaining cancer

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • Cancer research is increasingly incorporating evolutionary biology methods.
  • Evolutionary principles explain cancer's existence, growth, rarity, and occurrence despite suppressive mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight new applications of evolutionary biology in understanding cancer.
  • To explore evolutionary explanations for cancer vulnerability.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent advances and applications of evolutionary biology in cancer research.
  • Application of evolutionary principles to explain cancer phenomena.

Main Results:

  • Cancer evolves via somatic selection, with mutations driving cell proliferation.
  • Neoplasms develop within complex cellular ecosystems.
Keywords:
darwinianecologicalevolutionary medicinemismatchneoplasticvulnerability

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  • Natural selection has led to potent cancer suppression mechanisms, though evolutionary reasons explain their limitations.

    • Conclusions:

    • Four core principles integrate evolutionary biology and cancer research: somatic selection, ecosystem dynamics, natural selection for defenses, and evolutionary explanations for defense limitations.
    • These principles offer a framework for advancing cancer understanding, prevention, and treatment.