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A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication
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Tumours and tissues: similar homeostatic systems?
1Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy. demicheliromano@istitutotumori.mi.it
Targeted Oncology
|May 3, 2013
Summary
Cancer is viewed as a tissue-based disease, not just a cellular one. This perspective suggests cancer arises from normal physiological processes becoming unbalanced within the tissue environment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- The dominant somatic mutation theory posits cancer as a cellular disease, focusing on genetic alterations.
- This reductionist approach has historically sought unique cancer cell abnormalities without consistent success.
- Emerging views propose cancer is a tissue-based disease involving disrupted cellular interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review normal tissue homeostasis and the role of bone marrow in tumor development.
- To explore the concept of cancer as a tissue-based disease.
- To challenge the purely cellular view of carcinogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of selected scientific literature on tissue homeostasis.
- Analysis of reports on bone marrow contributions to tumor cells and stroma.
- Synthesis of evidence supporting a tissue-level understanding of cancer.
Main Results:
- Normal tissues exhibit complex, organism-wide homeostatic systems.
- Tumors display significant similarities to normal tissue activities and processes.
- Evidence suggests tumors share biological features with healthy tissues.
Conclusions:
- Cancer is best understood as a tissue-based disease.
- Pathological cancer may stem from dysregulated physiological processes.
- A shift from cellular to tissue-level perspectives is supported.
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