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Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells
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A new perspective on tumor progression: Evolution via selection for function.

Frédéric Thomas1, James DeGregori2, Andriy Marusyk3

  • 1CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES) Department, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France.

Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health
|October 4, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tumorigenesis involves Darwinian evolution, but cancer progression also requires specific group phenotypic composition (GPC). This GPC relies on

Keywords:
evolutionfunctiongroup phenotypic compositionperspectiveprogressionselectiontumors

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Cancer research
  • Theoretical biology

Background:

  • Tumorigenesis is often explained by Darwinian evolution and natural selection acting on cells.
  • Progressing tumors require a specific group phenotypic composition (GPC) for survival and growth.
  • The selection processes governing tumor GPCs differ from classical Darwinian evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the notion that Darwinian processes alone fully explain tumorigenesis and cancer progression.
  • To highlight the role of 'selection for function' in tumor evolution.
  • To propose a more comprehensive evolutionary framework for understanding cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of evolutionary theory applied to cancer.
  • Comparison of tumor evolution with 'selection for function' in other systems.
  • Argumentative synthesis of genetic diversity, GPC, and tumor-level selection.

Main Results:

  • Darwinian processes generate the diversity necessary for novel GPCs.
  • Tumor GPCs are subject to selection for function, not just differential reproductive success.
  • Cancer progression is a complex evolutionary scenario involving multiple levels of selection.

Conclusions:

  • Darwinian evolution is insufficient to explain all aspects of tumorigenesis and cancer progression.
  • Selection for function at the tumor level is crucial for cancer advancement.
  • A nuanced evolutionary perspective is needed to fully understand cancer.