Re: News: Survival of the fittest: even cancer cells follow the laws
- From: spintronic <spintronic@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:00:51 -0700 (PDT)
On Aug 11, 8:40 pm, Kermit <unrestrained_h...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Aug 9, 3:57 pm, spintronic <spintro...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Aug 6, 11:42 am, Ye Old One <use...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Survival of the fittest: even cancer cells follow the laws of
evolution
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-08/foas-sot080108.php
New article in the FASEB Journal reveals that each type of cancer
contains unique gene mutations that give it Darwin's 'selective
advantage'
Scientists from The Institute of Advanced Studies at Princeton and the
University of California discovered that the underlying process in
tumor formation is the same as for life itself—evolution. After
analyzing a half million gene mutations, the researchers found that
although different gene mutations control different cancer pathways,
each pathway was controlled by only one set of gene mutations. This
suggests that a molecular "survival of the fittest" scenario plays out
in every living creature as gene mutations strive for ultimate
survival through cancerous tumors. This finding, which appears in the
August 2008 issue of The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org),
improves our understanding of how evolution shapes life in all forms,
while laying a foundation for new cancer drugs and treatments.
"This study lays the groundwork for understanding the nature of
different mutations in cancers," said Chen-Hsiang Yeung, first author
of the study, "and helps with understanding the mechanisms of cancers
and their responses to drug treatments."
To arrive at these conclusions, researchers analyzed about 500,000
cancer mutation records from the Catalog of Somatic Mutations in
Cancer database and then divided the data into 45 tissue types. Within
each tissue type, they calculated the frequency that multiple genes
were mutated in the same sample. They identified the frequencies of
mutations that were significantly higher or lower than if the genes
had mutated independently. Then they mapped out how these genes
ultimately lead to cancerous tumors and checked whether the genes
occurring in specific tissues used the same or different cancer
pathways.
"Little could Darwin have known that his 'Origin of the Species' would
one day explain the 'Origin of the Tumor,'" said Gerald Weissmann, MD,
Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "This research report completely
changes our understanding of the many gene mutations that cause
cancer."
###
The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) is published by the
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) and
is the most cited biology journal worldwide according to the Institute
for Scientific Information. FASEB comprises 21 nonprofit societies
with more than 80,000 members, making it the largest coalition of
biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB advances
biological science through collaborative advocacy for research
policies that promote scientific progress and education and lead to
improvements in human health.
Article details: Combinatorial patterns of somatic gene mutations in
cancer, by Chen-Hsiang Yeang, Frank McCormick, and Arnold Levine
(FASEB J. 2008 22: 2605-2622)http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/22/8/2605.
--
Bob.
So many flaws with this theory, I don't know where to start.
Lets start, with the advantage to the cancer cell.
If it followed a selection process, what happens when its selected? It
dies with the host.
Yes. This generation, this reproductive cycle, the prolific cancer
cell reproduces. Did you expect it to mull over its future with its
little cancer mind?
Humans don't do that very well; a brainless mass of cells won't.
Humans can pass on their genome, a cell that kills its host can't.
Ah, I get it. Humans are cancerous.
What do you do with cancer?
Then we can move on to the 500000 mutation figures. On a genome with
only 25000 genes.
What numbers do you think we should see, and what is your evidence for
them?
Well there are relatively few Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.
Basically, all your 500000 mutations are mutations on those genes.
Since there are only 25000 genes in the genome, and the cancer causing
genes
are a fraction of those.
You are in effect saying 500000 mutations *within* "X" amount of
genes.
It would be much simpler to say "X" mutations.
If you refer to the "net" total amount of actual mutations that can
affect these "X" amount
of genes. I am sure it is more than 500000.
.
- References:
- Prev by Date: Re: Genius of Charles Darwin
- Next by Date: Re: Do the Atheist Troops Wonder Why Wilkins and Elsberry the PHds
- Previous by thread: Re: News: Survival of the fittest: even cancer cells follow the laws
- Next by thread: Re: News: Survival of the fittest: even cancer cells follow the laws
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
Loading
