Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2025
08:20
Using Microarrays to Interrogate Microenvironmental Impact on Cellular Phenotypes in Cancer
Published on: May 21, 2019
5.7K
Bodywide ecological interventions on cancer
Guido Kroemer1,2,3, Jennifer L McQuade4, Miriam Merad5
1Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Université de Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Institut Universitaire de France, Inserm U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France. Kroemer@orange.fr.
Nature Medicine
|January 19, 2023
Summary
Cancer progression is influenced by systemic host factors beyond the tumor microenvironment. A whole-body approach is needed to improve cancer control and patient quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Systems Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Traditional cancer research focuses on tumor cells and their microenvironment.
- Tumor progression is also influenced by systemic host factors including vascular, lymphatic, and nervous systems.
- Host factors like aging, co-morbidities, and co-medications significantly impact cancer development and treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for a comprehensive, whole-body 'ecological' perspective in cancer research and therapy.
- To highlight the importance of understanding host-tumor interactions for developing novel cancer interventions.
- To propose systemic, bodywide strategies for improved tumor control and patient quality of life.
Main Methods:
- This perspective synthesizes current knowledge on host-tumor communication pathways.
- It reviews the role of metabolites, neuroendocrine, pro-inflammatory, and immune circuitries in cancer.
- It discusses the impact of aging, co-morbidities, and co-medications on cancer patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Systemic factors and long-range communication networks significantly influence cancer trajectory.
- Host-derived metabolites and microbiota play a crucial role in mediating tumor progression.
- Aging and co-morbidities profoundly affect cancer development and therapeutic efficacy.
Conclusions:
- A shift towards a whole-body 'ecological' exploration of cancer is essential.
- Understanding the intricate host-tumor relationship will enable rational, systemic interventions.
- This approach promises to enhance both tumor control and the quality of life for cancer patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:59Cancer Prevention
6.3K
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
6.3K
02:49Cancer Therapies
7.9K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.9K
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
7.6K
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...
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...
7.6K
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
5.9K
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,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.9K
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
6.7K
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...
6.7K
02:18Cancer
49.1K
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
49.1K