Work

Niche Inheritance: A Cooperative Pathway to Enhance Cancer Cell Fitness Through Ecosystem Engineering

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Cancer cells can be described as an invasive species that is able to establish itself in a new environment. The concept of niche construction can be utilized to describe the process by which cancer cells terraform their environment, thereby engineering an ecosystem that promotes the genetic fitness of the species. Ecological dispersion theory can then be utilized to describe and model the steps and barriers involved in a successful diaspora as the cancer cells leave the original host organ and migrate to new host organs to successfully establish a new metastatic community. These ecological concepts can be further utilized to define new diagnostic and therapeutic areas for lethal cancers.

Source: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry

DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24813

Authors: Kimberline R Yang, Steven M. Mooney, Jelani C. Zarif, Donald S. Coffey, Russell S. Taichman, Kenneth J. Pienta

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Michigan

Language: English

Topic: Cancer Cells and Metastasis

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,110