Turning natural adaptations to oncogenic factors into an ally in the war against cancer

Abstract

Both field and experimental evolution studies have demonstrated that organisms naturally or artificially exposed to environmental oncogenic factors can, sometimes rapidly, evolve specific adaptations to cope with pollutants and their adverse effects on fitness. Although numerous pollutants are mutagenic and carcinogenic, little attention has been given to exploring the extent to which adaptations displayed by organisms living in oncogenic environments could inspire novel cancer treatments, through mimicking the processes allowing these organisms to prevent or limit malignant progression. Building on a substantial knowledge base from the literature, we here present and discuss this progressive and promising research direction, advocating closer collaboration between the fields of medicine, ecology, and evolution in the war against cancer.

Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences of Anticancer Adaptations

“…There are several other examples of local adaptations in animals to cope with anthropogenic pollution ( Reid et al., 2016 ) ( Whitehead et al., 2017 ) ( Vittecoq et al., 2018 ). The fitness costs associated with the possession of adaptations that prevent associated deleterious effects can sometimes be indirectly assessed by examining how individuals from polluted habitats perform when placed in non-polluted conditions.…”

Urban environment and cancer in wildlife: available evidence and future research avenues

“…Species probably vary in their susceptibility to cancer due to variation in tolerance to environmental oncogenic factors [93] and variation in cancer defence mechanisms [94]. Interspecific variation in cancer risk may depend on life-history characteristics such as body size, growth rate and investment in sexual signal traits, but also on physiological mechanisms such as wound healing or the presence or depth of placentation (reviewed by Harris et al [94]).…”

“…It is suggested that the fastest rates of evolution globally take place in human-impacted habitats [97], and there is strong evidence of adaptive evolution in urban systems (reviewed by Donihue & Lambert [2]). From an applied perspective, Vittecoq et al [93] suggested that studying these species could inspire novel cancer treatments by mimicking the processes allowing these organisms.…”

Rare and unique adaptations to cancer in domesticated species: An untapped resource?

“…In natural environments, the evolution of cancer suppressive mechanisms is weighted against other fitness-related functions (Jacqueline et al, 2017) (Vittecoq et al, 2018).…”