The biological sense of cancer: a hypothesis

Abstract

Background: Most theories about cancer proposed during the last century share a common denominator: cancer is believed to be a biological nonsense for the organism in which it originates, since cancer cells are believed to be ones evading the rules that control normal cell proliferation and differentiation. In this essay, we have challenged this interpretation on the basis that, throughout the animal kingdom, cancer seems to arise only in injured organs and tissues that display lost or diminished regenerative ability.

Biphasic effect of a primary tumor on the growth of secondary tumor implants

“…Taking into account that metastases can be considered as natural secondary tumor implants in a tumor-bearing host and that they constitute the main problem in cancer pathology (BonWl et al 1988;Farma et al 2005;Loberg et al 2007;Mimori et al 2009;Ruggiero and Bustuoabad 2006), the use of the concept of hormesis to describe those biphasic eVects might have signiWcant clinical implications. For example, the deWnition of the windows of stimulation and inhibition in the relationship between the primary tumor and its metastases might help physicians to decide, in each particular case, the best therapeutic strategy, taking into account that if the tumor-bearing host were placed in the inhibitory window, tumor extirpation could enhance the growth of distant metastases and, reciprocally, if it were in the stimulatory window, tumor extirpation would result not only in a reduction or elimination of primary tumor load but also in a slower growth or inhibition of metastases.…”

Detection of Early Cancer: Genetics or Immunology? Serum Autoantibody Profiles as Markers of Malignancy

“…Unfortunately, significant progress on molecular genetic studies of cancer over the last 50 years has not led to a breakthrough in the treatment or diagnosis of cancer. This raises the question of whether or not oncogenes significantly contribute to carcinogenesis and serve for revitalizing modifying systemic approaches to explain the phenomenon [3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…Chronic inflammatory processes often occur as the precursor to tumor development. According to Ruggiero and Bustuoabad [5], tumors that arise in response to incoming proliferation signals only occur in organs and tissues that have exhausted their regenerative potential and are unable to restore their original number of functional cells. In contrast, it is impossible to induce cell malignization in tissues that have full-fledged regenerative potential [5].…”

“…According to Ruggiero and Bustuoabad [5], tumors that arise in response to incoming proliferation signals only occur in organs and tissues that have exhausted their regenerative potential and are unable to restore their original number of functional cells. In contrast, it is impossible to induce cell malignization in tissues that have full-fledged regenerative potential [5]. According to Dvorak [10], the phenomenon of malignant growth resembles ineffective attempts to repair tissue, which cannot be completed (his classic article on the subject is called "Tumors: wounds that do not heal") [10].…”

“…Transplanted malignant cells can induce tumor growth in recipient animals, but not always and not immediately. The result may depend on the extent and nature of tissue injury during the replanting of foreign cells [5]. Similarly, malignant transformation of plant leaves (formation of galls) under the influence of virregulon -analogue oncogenes -does not occur if there is no mechanical damage to the leaf, for example, by pin.…”