by
Michael Hochberg
Aug. 14, 2013
Since the mid 1970s, cancer has been described as a process of Darwinian evolution, with somatic cellular selection and evolution being the fundamental processes leading to malignancy and its many manifestations (neoangiogenesis, evasion of the immune system, metastasis, and resistance to therapies). Historically, little attention has been placed on applications of ecology and evolutionary biology to understanding and controlling neoplastic progression and to prevent therapeutic failures. This is now beginning to change, and there is a growing interest in the interface between cancer and ecological and evolutionary theories. The objective of this talk is first to describe the basic ideas and concepts of cancer. I then describe fronts where the ecological and evolutionary perspective is most developed, in particular, that cancer generates substantial levels of phenotypic diversity, which makes it a challenge to control even when discovered in early stages. Finally, I present an analysis supporting the notion that major advances in 'winning the war' against cancer will require preventive approaches, and in particular ultra-low impact treatments and/or life-style changes for people at high risk of developing the disease.
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