Abstract
A key to solving the beginning of cancer is to elucidate its cell of origin. Hence, an unspoken appeal of the stem-cell theory of cancers is its focus on the cellular aspects of cancer. Many biologic phenomena vital for cancer cells are shared by stem cells. Both stem-cell and cancer cell activities are tightly regulated by their respective microenvironments or niches. Therefore, it is not coincidental that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and epithelial-stromal interactions, which are critical for organogenesis, also play an important role in carcinogenesis. We propose that the theory of a stem-cell origin of cancers that encompasses all aspects of cancer, including heterogeneity, metastasis, drug resistance, etc., may be our long-sought unified theory of cancer.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Prostate Cancer |
Subtitle of host publication | A Comprehensive Perspective |
Publisher | Springer-Verlag London Ltd |
Pages | 73-79 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781447128649 |
ISBN (Print) | 144712863X, 9781447128632 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 2013 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine