Cancer is characterized by heterogeneous cells with capacity for self renewal, and selective pressures in the microenvironment which constantly change the cell population. This "descent with modification" is consistent with Darwin's definition of evolution, and accordingly, cancer progression can be captured from an evolutionary angle. However, there is also a clear difference between cancer progression and biological evolution. First, contrary to the evolution of complex organisms, cancer originates from cells of multicellular organisms that escape their constraints and behave like unicellular organisms. Therefore, from the beginning, cancer cells have complex genomes that contain abundant genetic materials which they can use to change their phenotype by dynamic rearrangements and modifications. Secondly, epigenetic effects promote cancer evolution in contrast to the evolution of life. Some tumors develop with minimal genetic alterations, and cell plasticity contributes to both initiation and progression in various tumors. However, an evolutionary theory that encompasses these characteristics of cancer remains to be developed.
This research topic invites theoretical and experimental studies to understand cancer evolution and open the avenue to evolutionary-based diagnosis and treatment strategies of cancer. Single-cell analysis of cancer tissues has been used to elucidate the evolutionary process of cancer progression. Additionally, we welcome comparative oncological studies focusing on spontaneous carcinogenesis from non-human species or on the contribution of lineage-specific genes to carcinogenesis, which can provide insights into how genomic differences affect carcinogenesis. We also welcome research into the application of new evolutionary theories to cancer evolution, the proposal of new theories specific to cancer evolution, and therapeutic strategies based on theories of cancer evolution.
The following topics covered in original articles and reviews are examples of relevant literature, but any research about the relationship between evolution and cancer will be considered.
1) Theory of evolutionary biology or population genetics to cancer evolution
2) Theories specific to cancer evolution proposed as a result of single-cell sequencing or other methods, or research showing the necessity of such theories (such as those involving epigenetic effects)
3) Contribution of evolutionarily new genes such as de novo evolved genes to carcinogenesis or their physiological functions
4) Genomic research on cancers in non-human species and their comparison with human cancers
5) Theoretical and experimental studies linking macroscopic pathological conditions such as metastasis or recurrence with patterns in the cancer genomes
6) Evolutionary analysis of the interaction between the emergence of neoantigens and cancer immunity
Important Note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) will not be accepted in any of the sections of Frontiers in Oncology.
Cancer is characterized by heterogeneous cells with capacity for self renewal, and selective pressures in the microenvironment which constantly change the cell population. This "descent with modification" is consistent with Darwin's definition of evolution, and accordingly, cancer progression can be captured from an evolutionary angle. However, there is also a clear difference between cancer progression and biological evolution. First, contrary to the evolution of complex organisms, cancer originates from cells of multicellular organisms that escape their constraints and behave like unicellular organisms. Therefore, from the beginning, cancer cells have complex genomes that contain abundant genetic materials which they can use to change their phenotype by dynamic rearrangements and modifications. Secondly, epigenetic effects promote cancer evolution in contrast to the evolution of life. Some tumors develop with minimal genetic alterations, and cell plasticity contributes to both initiation and progression in various tumors. However, an evolutionary theory that encompasses these characteristics of cancer remains to be developed.
This research topic invites theoretical and experimental studies to understand cancer evolution and open the avenue to evolutionary-based diagnosis and treatment strategies of cancer. Single-cell analysis of cancer tissues has been used to elucidate the evolutionary process of cancer progression. Additionally, we welcome comparative oncological studies focusing on spontaneous carcinogenesis from non-human species or on the contribution of lineage-specific genes to carcinogenesis, which can provide insights into how genomic differences affect carcinogenesis. We also welcome research into the application of new evolutionary theories to cancer evolution, the proposal of new theories specific to cancer evolution, and therapeutic strategies based on theories of cancer evolution.
The following topics covered in original articles and reviews are examples of relevant literature, but any research about the relationship between evolution and cancer will be considered.
1) Theory of evolutionary biology or population genetics to cancer evolution
2) Theories specific to cancer evolution proposed as a result of single-cell sequencing or other methods, or research showing the necessity of such theories (such as those involving epigenetic effects)
3) Contribution of evolutionarily new genes such as de novo evolved genes to carcinogenesis or their physiological functions
4) Genomic research on cancers in non-human species and their comparison with human cancers
5) Theoretical and experimental studies linking macroscopic pathological conditions such as metastasis or recurrence with patterns in the cancer genomes
6) Evolutionary analysis of the interaction between the emergence of neoantigens and cancer immunity
Important Note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) will not be accepted in any of the sections of Frontiers in Oncology.
