Cancer and ageing: rival demons?

J Campisi - Nature Reviews Cancer, 2003 - nature.com
J Campisi
Nature Reviews Cancer, 2003nature.com
Organisms with renewable tissues use a network of genetic pathways and cellular
responses to prevent cancer. The main mammalian tumour-suppressor pathways evolved
from ancient mechanisms that, in simple post-mitotic organisms, act predominantly to
regulate embryogenesis or to protect the germline. The shift from developmental and/or
germline maintenance in simple organisms to somatic maintenance in complex organisms
might have evolved at a cost. Recent evidence indicates that some mammalian tumour …
Abstract
Organisms with renewable tissues use a network of genetic pathways and cellular responses to prevent cancer. The main mammalian tumour-suppressor pathways evolved from ancient mechanisms that, in simple post-mitotic organisms, act predominantly to regulate embryogenesis or to protect the germline. The shift from developmental and/or germline maintenance in simple organisms to somatic maintenance in complex organisms might have evolved at a cost. Recent evidence indicates that some mammalian tumour-suppressor mechanisms contribute to ageing. How might this have happened, and what are its implications for our ability to control cancer and ageing?
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