Is Cancer Reversible? Rethinking Carcinogenesis Models—A New Epistemological Tool
A growing number of studies shows that it is possible to induce a phenotypic transformation of cancer cells from malignant to benign. This process is currently known as “tumor reversion”. However, the concept of reversibility hardly fits the current cancer models, according to which gene mutations a...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/5/733 |
| _version_ | 1827741888443056128 |
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| author | Andrea Pensotti Marta Bertolaso Mariano Bizzarri |
| author_facet | Andrea Pensotti Marta Bertolaso Mariano Bizzarri |
| author_sort | Andrea Pensotti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A growing number of studies shows that it is possible to induce a phenotypic transformation of cancer cells from malignant to benign. This process is currently known as “tumor reversion”. However, the concept of reversibility hardly fits the current cancer models, according to which gene mutations are considered the primary cause of cancer. Indeed, if gene mutations are causative carcinogenic factors, and if gene mutations are irreversible, how long should cancer be considered as an irreversible process? In fact, there is some evidence that intrinsic plasticity of cancerous cells may be therapeutically exploited to promote a phenotypic reprogramming, both in vitro and in vivo. Not only are studies on tumor reversion highlighting a new, exciting research approach, but they are also pushing science to look for new epistemological tools capable of better modeling cancer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:54:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2da32c624fe54fc698de7130316a54dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:54:30Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-2da32c624fe54fc698de7130316a54dd2023-11-18T00:38:23ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2023-04-0113573310.3390/biom13050733Is Cancer Reversible? Rethinking Carcinogenesis Models—A New Epistemological ToolAndrea Pensotti0Marta Bertolaso1Mariano Bizzarri2Research Unit of Philosophy of Science and Human Development, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, ItalyResearch Unit of Philosophy of Science and Human Development, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, ItalySystems Biology Group Lab, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, ItalyA growing number of studies shows that it is possible to induce a phenotypic transformation of cancer cells from malignant to benign. This process is currently known as “tumor reversion”. However, the concept of reversibility hardly fits the current cancer models, according to which gene mutations are considered the primary cause of cancer. Indeed, if gene mutations are causative carcinogenic factors, and if gene mutations are irreversible, how long should cancer be considered as an irreversible process? In fact, there is some evidence that intrinsic plasticity of cancerous cells may be therapeutically exploited to promote a phenotypic reprogramming, both in vitro and in vivo. Not only are studies on tumor reversion highlighting a new, exciting research approach, but they are also pushing science to look for new epistemological tools capable of better modeling cancer.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/5/733tumor reversionmicroenvironmentembryo developmentsystems biologymorphogenesisbiological network |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Pensotti Marta Bertolaso Mariano Bizzarri Is Cancer Reversible? Rethinking Carcinogenesis Models—A New Epistemological Tool Biomolecules tumor reversion microenvironment embryo development systems biology morphogenesis biological network |
| title | Is Cancer Reversible? Rethinking Carcinogenesis Models—A New Epistemological Tool |
| title_full | Is Cancer Reversible? Rethinking Carcinogenesis Models—A New Epistemological Tool |
| title_fullStr | Is Cancer Reversible? Rethinking Carcinogenesis Models—A New Epistemological Tool |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is Cancer Reversible? Rethinking Carcinogenesis Models—A New Epistemological Tool |
| title_short | Is Cancer Reversible? Rethinking Carcinogenesis Models—A New Epistemological Tool |
| title_sort | is cancer reversible rethinking carcinogenesis models a new epistemological tool |
| topic | tumor reversion microenvironment embryo development systems biology morphogenesis biological network |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/5/733 |
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