Carcinogenesis is consequence of failure of tissue development

Shaoqing Lai1

  • 1National Cancer Center/National Clinical Reseach Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Pekimg Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.

Medical Hypotheses
|August 21, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Cancer arises from failed tissue development, not just gene mutations. Tumor cells are immature stem cells that proliferate due to promoters and carcinogens, leading to tumors. Differentiation therapy offers a potential solution.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cancer pathogenesis is largely explained by gene mutation theory, but therapeutic outcomes remain unsatisfactory.
  • Discrepancies between gene mutation theory predictions and actual cancer phenomena necessitate re-evaluation of tumor nature.
  • Current research on genetic molecular mutation mechanisms presents complex challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the fundamental nature of cancer through theoretical analysis.
  • To re-evaluate cancer's origins from the perspective of tissue regeneration.
  • To propose an alternative understanding of carcinogenesis and tumor development.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of cancer development.
  • Examination of cancer through the lens of tissue regeneration processes.
  • Analysis of the roles of tumor promoters and carcinogens in cell behavior.

Main Results:

  • Carcinogenesis is a consequence of failed tissue development.
  • Tumors originate from tissue regeneration, with tumor cells derived from normal tissue stem cells.
  • Tumor cells are immature cells that proliferate due to promoters and blocked differentiation by carcinogens.

Conclusions:

  • Tumor cells are immature normal cells arrested in differentiation.
  • Tumor promoters induce stem cell proliferation, while carcinogens inhibit differentiation.
  • Differentiation therapy is proposed as the ultimate solution for tumors; caution advised for stem cell transplantation.

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