Studying Cancer Evolution and Therapeutic Responses in Different Organs: The Pros and Cons of a Broad Focus

Abstract

Introductory StatementCellular adaptation brought upon by insults such as old age and therapeutic exposure is a complex phenomenon in which cells undergo adaptive phenotypic changes. Our lab has focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying adaptation during the evolution of cancer, from the early stages of development to the ability of cancer cells to escape therapeutic challenges. Our studies span hematopoietic and lung systems. Herein, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages involved in studying two vastly different organ systems. Through the use of these organ/cancer model systems, we hope to develop interventions to limit oncogenic adaptation leading to cancer development and to prevent adaptation of cancers following treatment leading to cancer relapse.

Identifying key questions in the ecology and evolution of cancer

“…tobacco smoke, UV) and intrinsic (e.g. obesity) factors, how these modulate the host's tissues (inducing local low‐grade inflammation or not) and whether the combination of these factors leads to oncogenic events and cancer evolution (Dujon, Ujvari, et al, 2020; Pham‐Danis & DeGregori, 2019; Rozhok & DeGregori, 2015). Thus, survival, selection and expansion of transformed cells apparently depend on the microenvironmental context given by the quality and quantity of damaging factors, duration of exposure and host genetics.…”