Skip to main content

Evolutionary Dynamics of Genes and Environment in Cancer Development

Evolution of Cancer

  • Conference paper
Evolution from Cellular to Social Scales
  • 589 Accesses

Abstract

Cancer development involves dynamic interplay between genes and environment, and is increasingly understood as an evolutionary process within the body of an organism. Concurrently, human predisposition for cancer may also be regarded in an evolutionary perspective, shaped by interaction of genes and environment through the generations. We have developed a theoretical model that combines this somatic and germline evolution of cancer. Key predictions have been tested and confirmed by independent studies and the model has general implications for the understanding of cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Fearon ER, Vogelstein B. A genetic model for colorectal tumorigenesis. Cell 1990;61(5):759–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Arends JW. Molecular interactions in the Vogelstein model of colorectal carcinoma. J Pathol 2000 Mar;190(4):412–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Vineis P, Berwick M. The population dynamics of cancer: A Darwinian perspective. Int J Epidemiol 2006 Oct;35(5):1151–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Gibbs WW. Untangling the roots of cancer. Sci Am 2003 Jul;289(1):56–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Breivik J, Gaudernack G. Carcinogenesis and natural selection: A new perspective to the genetics and epigenetics of colorectal cancer. Adv Cancer Res 1999;76:187–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Breivik J, Gaudernack G. Carcinogenesis and natural selection: A new perspective to the genetics and epigenetics of colorectal cancer. Adv Cancer Res 1999;76:187–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Breivik J, Gaudernack G. Genomic instability, DNA methylation, and natural selection in colorectal carcinogenesis. Semin Cancer Biol 1999 Aug;9(4):245–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bardelli A, Cahill DP, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B, Lengauer C. Carcinogen-specific induction of genetic instability. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001;98(10):5770–5.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Herzog CR, Bodon N, Pittman B, Maronpot RR, Massey TE, Anderson MW, You M, Devereux TR. Carcinogen-specific targeting of chromosome 12 for loss of heterozygosity in mouse lung adenocarcinomas: Implications for chromosome instability and tumor progression. Oncogene 2004 Apr 15;23(17):3033–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Breivik J. Don’t stop for repairs in a war zone: Darwinian evolution unites genes and environment in cancer development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001 May 8;98(10):5379–81.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Breivik J, Gaudernack G. Resolving the evolutionary paradox of genetic instability: A costbenefit analysis of DNA repair in changing environments. FEBS Lett 2004 Apr 9;563(1–3):7–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Darwin CR. On the origin of species by means of natural selection. London: Murray, 1859.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ridley M. Evolution, 3rd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Breivik J. The evolutionary origin of genetic instability in cancer development. Semin Cancer Biol 2005 Feb;15(1):51–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Cahill DP, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B, Lengauer C. Genetic instability and Darwinian selection in tumours. Trends Cell Biol 1999 Dec;9(12):M57–M60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Nowak MA, Michor F, Komarova NL, Iwasa Y. Evolutionary dynamics of tumor suppressor gene inactivation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004;101(29):10635–8.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Breivik J. Cancer-evolution within. Int J Epidemiol 2006 Oct;35(5):1161–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science + Business Media B.V

About this paper

Cite this paper

Breivik, J. (2008). Evolutionary Dynamics of Genes and Environment in Cancer Development. In: Skjeltorp, A.T., Belushkin, A.V. (eds) Evolution from Cellular to Social Scales. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series B: Physics and Biophysics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8761-5_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics