The evolutionary origin of genetic instability in cancer development

The standard model of carcinogenesis is currently being questioned. The main controversy concerns genetic instability and has links to fundamental questions in evolutionary biology. This paper aims to clarify the underlying conflict between the linear configuration of the standard model and the non-...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Seminars in cancer biology 2005-02, Vol.15 (1), p.51-60
Main Author: Breivik, Jarle
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cancer
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - genetics
Chromosomal Instability
Chromosome Aberrations
DNA Repair
Evolution
Evolution, Molecular
Genetic instability
Humans
Mutagens
Mutation
Neoplasms - etiology
Selection, Genetic
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The standard model of carcinogenesis is currently being questioned. The main controversy concerns genetic instability and has links to fundamental questions in evolutionary biology. This paper aims to clarify the underlying conflict between the linear configuration of the standard model and the non-linear dynamics of Darwinian evolution. It addresses the problem of applying the concept of clonal selection to genetically unstable cells and presents an alternative perspective based on the principles of molecular evolution. This model explains genetic instability in terms of competition between genetic strategies and draws lines to basic aspects of evolutionary biology.
ISSN:1044-579X
1096-3650
DOI:10.1016/j.semcancer.2004.09.008