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Rethinking the Evolutionary Origin, Function, and Treatment of Cancer.
1N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 115478, Russia. alicht@mail.ru.
Biochemistry. Biokhimiia
|March 9, 2025
Summary
Cancer is a systemic disease, not just a cellular one. A holistic approach reveals its role in gene pool selection and suggests targeting the cancer interactome for novel treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Systems Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Current oncology research often focuses narrowly on intracellular processes, neglecting cancer's systemic nature.
- This reductionist approach limits understanding and therapeutic outcomes.
- A balanced perspective integrating reductionism and holism is necessary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate cancer from a systemic and evolutionary perspective.
- To explore the concept of cancer as a 'special organ' with a function in gene pool purification.
- To investigate the cancer interactome and its role in metastasis and lethality.
Main Methods:
- Holistic systems approach
- Analysis of cancer as an evolutionary mechanism
- Exploration of the cancer interactome
- Review of hereditary and sporadic cancer correlations
Main Results:
- Cancer can be viewed as a mechanism for purifying the gene pool.
- The cancer interactome plays a crucial role in metastasis and lethal outcomes.
- A correlation exists between hereditary and sporadic cancer.
- Cancer's systemic nature is critical for understanding its progression.
Conclusions:
- A shift towards a holistic view is essential for advancing cancer research and treatment.
- Targeting the cancer interactome presents a promising novel therapeutic strategy.
- Understanding cancer's evolutionary role may unlock new insights into its prevention and management.
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