The relationship between early embryo development and tumourigenesis

Abstract

With the recent substantial progress in developmental biology and cancer biology, the similarities between early embryo development and tumourigenesis, as well as the important interaction between tumours and embryos become better appreciated. In this paper, we review in detail the embryonic origin of tumour, and the similarities between early embryo development and tumourigenesis with respect to cell invasive behaviours, epigenetic regulation, gene expression, protein profiling and other important biological behaviours. Given an improved understanding of the relationship between early embryo development and tumourigenesis, now we have better and broader resources to attack cancer from the perspective of developmental biology and develop next generation of prognostic and therapeutic approaches for this devastating disease.

Elevated oncofoetal miR-17-5p expression regulates colorectal cancer progression by repressing its target gene P130

“…As reported in our previous studies of a potential oncofoetal CRC biomarker, certain high-value biomarkers, including miRNAs, genes and cancer proteins, show embryonic characteristics [10][11][12][13] . Tumorigenesis and embryogenesis have been postulated to share certain common pathways 10 .…”

“…Indeed, it has been widely observed that these genes and proteins are shared between the embryogenesis and tumorigenesis processes 20 . The increased proliferation rate and lack of differentiation in cancer cells resemble the physiological process of embryogenesis 10 . Following this theory, we focused on miRNAs that are more highly expressed in both foetal and CRC tissues than in normal tissues.…”

“…Tumorigenesis and embryogenesis have been postulated to share certain common pathways 10 . The increased proliferation and lack of differentiation of cancer cells resemble the behaviour of embryonic stem cells during the physiological process of embryogenesis.…”

Embryos of the zebrafish Danio rerio in studies of non-targeted effects of ionizing radiation

“…The embryonic origin of tumors has been gaining ground in the past few decades (e.g., see review by Ma et al [188]), and attempts have begun to fight cancer from the perspective of developmental biology [189,190]. In fact, tumorigenesis and embryonic development were found to be related to each other [191][192][193][194][195].…”

Igf1 expression in mouse model of liver carcinogenesis

“…Numerous data indicate the similarity of carcinogenesis and early ontogeny in terms of both cell function and molecu lar genetic mechanisms [1]. Hepatocellular carci noma is a common type of malignant liver tumor with a rapidly progressing course and poor prognosis.…”