The importance of cancer cells for animal evolutionary ecology

Thomas, Frédéric; Jacqueline, Camille M.; Tissot, Tazzio; Henard, Morgane; Blanchet, Simon; Loot, Géraldine; Dawson, Erika H.; Mery, Frédéric; Renaud, François; Montagne, Jacques; Beckmann, Christa; Biro, Peter A.; Hamede, Rodrigo; Újvári, Beáta

doi:10.1038/s41559-017-0343-z

Cited by 42 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…As demonstrated by the evolutionary adaptations of Tasmanian devils to DFTD, akin to parasites, cancer can directly and indirectly affect LH traits and trigger host evolutionary responses. The case study of Tasmanian devils proves that it is important to consider oncogenic phenomena as a selective force altering LH traits and reproductive strategies in wildlife . Clearly the development of non‐invasive diagnostic markers, more data and research are needed to fully understand the evolution of LH traits in a cancer context.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clearly the development of non‐invasive diagnostic markers, more data and research are needed to fully understand the evolution of LH traits in a cancer context. Malignant transformation, including transmissible and infection‐induced ones, are part of multicellular life, therefore incorporating them into evolutionary, ecological and species conservation studies will have a substantial impact on understanding the evolutionary ecology of our ecosystems …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Oncogenesis as a Selective Force: Adaptive Evolution in the Face of a Transmissible Cancer

et al. 2018

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Similar to parasites, malignant cells exploit the host for energy, resources and protection, thereby impairing host health and fitness. Although cancer is widespread in the animal kingdom, its impact on life history traits and strategies have rarely been documented. Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), a transmissible cancer, afflicting Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii), provides an ideal model system to monitor the impact of cancer on host life-history, and to elucidate the evolutionary arms-race between malignant cells and their hosts. Here we provide an overview of parasite-induced host life history (LH) adaptations, then both phenotypic plasticity of LH responses and changes in allele frequencies that affect LH traits of Tasmanian devils in response to DFTD are discussed. We conclude that akin to parasites, cancer can directly and indirectly affect devil LH traits and trigger host evolutionary responses. Consequently, it is important to consider oncogenic processes as a selective force in wildlife.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oncogenesis as a Selective Force: Adaptive Evolution in the Face of a Transmissible Cancer

et al. 2018

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“…The reason for this is that cancer is not something that many ecologists consider as one of the many selective pressures acting on animals, although it is likely to be pervasive, and this may lead to individual differences in condition or performance. That is, a part of the variation in individual phenotypes is likely, at any time point, to be influenced by the state of the oncobiota (i. e., malignant cell communities) [9].…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Also, even when invasive cancer is apparently absent in an organism, we cannot ignore the potential cost paid by this organism to maintain such a cancer-free status. It is time to adopt a novel perspective on cancer, especially its contribution to what evolutionary ecologists describe as interindividual variability [9]. Another reason for considering cancer is that most, if not all, ecosystems on our planet are now polluted by mutagenic substances to a greater extent than ever before, to an extent that the incidence of cancers in wildlife is likely to increase significantly in the near future.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cancer Is Not (Only) a Senescence Problem

et al. 2018

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Age is one of the strongest predictors of cancer and risk of death from cancer. Cancer is therefore generally viewed as a senescence-related malady. However, cancer also exists at subclinical levels in humans and other animals, but its earlier effects on the body are poorly known by comparison. We argue here that cancer is a significant but ignored burden on the body and is likely to be a strong selective force from early during the lifetime of an organism. It is time to adopt this novel view of malignant pathologies to improve our understanding of the ways in which oncogenic phenomena influence the ecology and evolution of animals long before their negative impacts become evident and fatal.

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“…After induction of proliferation DTCs can be eradicated by the surrounding immune cells until some mutations occur (e.g., LOH in MHC genes) that enable the DTCs to escape immuno-surveillance [13,14]. Moreover, 'evolutionary ecology to oncology' was also a fascinating topic with potential crucial implications for novel treatment strategies [15].…”

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confidence: 99%