Adaptive Oncogenesis: A New Understanding of How Cancer Evolves inside Us

According to James DeGregori's theory, cancer is a disease of evolution that occurs when mutated cells outcompete healthy cells in the body's tissues. He suggests that changes in tissue environments favor the growth of cancerous cells and that healthy tissues can thwart cancer cells ability to outcompete their precancerous rivals. This perspective offers insights into who gets cancer, when it appears, and why, and suggests that sustaining our tissues natural and effective system of defense may be possible even in the face of aging or harmful exposures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2018
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Genetic alterations are widely believed to be the primary cause of cancer, according to prevailing understanding. James DeGregori, however, presents a fresh perspective on the occurrence of cancer by drawing upon evolutionary principles. Cancer can be viewed as an evolutionary disease, where mutated cells outcompete healthy cells within the body's tissues. DeGregori's theory connects the progression of cancer to evolved strategies aimed at maximizing reproductive success.

Through the process of natural selection, humans have evolved genetic programs to sustain bodily health for as long as necessary to increase the likelihood of passing on our genes. However, these mechanisms do not extend beyond a certain point. They create a tissue environment that favors normal stem cells over precancerous ones. Healthy tissues prevent cancer cells from outcompeting their precancerous counterparts. Nevertheless, as tissues age or sustain damage from factors like smoking, normal stem cells become less optimized for their environment. Cancer-causing mutations now enable cells to adapt to these altered tissue environments, allowing them to outcompete normal cells. It is akin to how changes in a species' habitat promote the evolution of new species, similarly, changes in tissue environments favor the growth of cancerous cells.

DeGregori's perspective provides valuable insights into the factors that determine who develops cancer, when it occurs, and why. While mutations are an inherent part of the genetic landscape, it may be possible to maintain our tissues' natural and effective defense system, even in the face of aging or harmful exposures. Adaptive Oncogenesis offers a compelling perspective for those interested in understanding the origins of cancer within the human body.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 165 x 241 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674545397