Our review compares evolution of cancer in the human body to the origin of new species from a common ancestor organism with respect to the theory of Charles Darwin. Moreover, the functional role of the tumor microenvironment as a selective pressure actively participating in cancer progression is also demonstrated. Evolutionary aspects of tumor growth and invasion from the point of view of modern therapeutic challenges and opportunities in precision personalized medicine are also discussed.
Keywords: Tumor microenvironment; cancer ecology; prognosis; regeneration; review; species development; stem cells; wound healing.
Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.