Contact Information
Available for logged-in reporters only
Newswise Why are older people at higher risk for developing cancer? Prevailing opinion holds that, over time, your bodys cells accumulate DNA damage and that eventually this damage catches up with the body in a way that causes cancer. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published today in the journal Aging shows that this prevailing opinion is incomplete. In addition to DNA damage, cancer depends on the slow degradation of tissue that surrounds cancer cells, something that naturally comes with aging.
Its really all about natural selection and survival of the fittest, says James DeGregori, PhD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center, professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the CU School of Medicine, and the papers senior author.
When youre young, healthy cells are optimized to the surrounding tissue theyre the fittest, DeGregori says. At that point, any mutation that affects function makes a cell less fit, so cells with mutations, even cancer-causing mutations, are out-competed by the young, fit, healthy cells. But when the tissue landscape changes with aging, healthy cells may no longer be optimized to their surroundings. In this aged landscape, mutations may actually make certain cells better, allowing them to out-compete the normal cells and form tumors. Thats why older people get cancer.
Working in the DeGregori Lab, postdoc and first author Andrii Rozhok, PhD, created mathematical models of just this kind of natural selection in hematopoietic or blood cells. Like predicting the weather, Rozhok combined several variables into a model and then asked how well the model could predict what we see in the real world. For example, in the case of weather, accurately taking into account barometric pressure and the calendar day could predict a snowstorm. Similarly, if you were to believe prevailing opinion, youd say that mutation accumulation would predict leukemia development. When Rozhok plugged only mutation variables into his model, however, there was poor fit. That is to say, the model could not accurately predict stem cell changes over time or leukemia development.
We knew mutations would play a role, perhaps even a big role, but it became clear there was something else going on. We had been looking inside cells for the causes of cancer, but that wasnt enough. There was something happening outside the cells that mattered, and that something is what allows cancer to form, DeGregori says.
Rozhok and colleagues then added more variables to the model to account for microenvironmental tissue decline. Suddenly, there was a much better fit. The new model, driven by age-related changes in stem cell fitness and behavior, accurately predicts the point at which a cancer cell might out-compete the normal cells and become a leukemia. Importantly, the model demonstrates that the systemic processes accompanying general tissue decline with age have a crucial power in governing cancer cell fates and the odds of developing cancer.
Wed always thought the tissue landscape was important, but we didnt know how important, DeGregori says. He points out that natural selection only cares about the human body until it passes reproductive age. We have programmed maintenance that takes care of our bodies and keeps us fit until around age 40. At that point, our maintenance program gets lazy. Our tissue landscape starts to change, and unfortunately it changes in ways that allow cancer cells to out-compete normal cells.
In all, We show that mutations, although necessary, cannot promote blood cancer development without an age-altered tissue microenvironment, the researchers write.
Here is the original post:
Mutations Need Help From Evolution to Cause Cancer
- Glossary [Stem Cell Information] [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2014]
- Stem Cell Transplant, Bone Marrow Transplant | Health ... [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2014]
- Our Physicians - Colorado Cell Surgical Network [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2014]
- Northern Colorado Spine Surgeon Successfully Performs ... [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2014]
- NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #619 10 October 2014 [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- Stem Cell Therapy-Denver and Ft. Collins Colorado-CROM [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2014]
- Nasal cells help paralyzed man make history by walking [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2014]
- Stem Cell Transplant | Health | Patient.co.uk [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2014]
- Running keeps you young: Study [Last Updated On: November 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2014]
- Co-author of controversial acid STAP stem cell papers in ... [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2014]
- Report on remission in patients with MS 3 Years after stem cell transplant [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2014]
- Report on remission in patients with MS three years after stem cell transplant [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2014]
- "Frozen Zoo" is some species' last hope for survival [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Frozen Zoo holds key to survival for some species [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Stem Cell Therapies [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Survival for some endangered species hinges on Frozen Zoo [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Libertyville soldier's funeral brings remembrance, awareness [Last Updated On: March 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 22nd, 2015]
- Give LIVE Concert Benefits Bonfils, Marrow Donation [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2015]
- CU researchers: Brain activity boosts processes that promote neural connections [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2015]
- Daily Digest: The horse stem cell fix is in for Colorado ... [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2015]
- Lakewood Colorado Stem Cell Research | Lakewood CO Stem ... [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2015]
- Colorado Springs man: Experimental stem-cell procedure ... [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2015]
- Stem Cell Therapy | Colorado | Premier Stem Cell Institute [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2015]
- Stem Cell | Anseth Research Group - University of Colorado ... [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2015]
- Stem Cell Clinics List | Stem Cells Freak [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Faqs, What Are Stem Cells, What Is Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Regenerative Medicine - Colorado Clinic [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2015]
- Keystone Symposia Stem Cells and Cancer [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2015]
- Injecting the Heart With Stem Cells Helps Chest Pain - ABC ... [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2015]
- PRP and Stem Cells More Patient Information [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2016]
- Adult Stem Cells Help Ease Arthritis - Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2016]
- Stem Cell Treatments | Stem Cell Therapy Colorado [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2016]
- 8th European Immunology Conference June 29-July 01, 2017 ... [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2016]
- What Is Stem Cell Therapy - ThriveMD Vail & Denver, Colorado [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2017]
- Frontiers in Stem Cells & Regeneration - mbl.edu [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- Repairing the Nervous System with Stem Cells | stemcells ... [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- California woman with rare cancer to conquer world's highest free-standing mountain - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Students play key biomedical research role in space | CU Boulder ... - CU Boulder Today [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Students play key biomedical research role in space - Space Daily [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- A Giant Leap for Stem Cells - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Artificial blood: the quest for one of science's holy grails - Stat - STAT [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Stem Cell Therapy - Premier Regenerative Stem Cell [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- New gene therapy for cancer shows promise in major test - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Mountain Town News: Mice invades houses as Sierra copes with water - Summit Daily News [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Houston Methodist IDs immune pathway that promotes tissue ... - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Lactate May Drive Cancer Development | Worldhealth.net Anti ... - Anti Aging News [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2017]
- Bradfo Sho, Ep. 19: Being Drew Pomeranz - WEEI.com [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2017]
- Northern Colorado Doctor Researching New Treatment Options ... - Benzinga [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2017]
- UC Anschutz startup gets $6M boost to fight disease with stem cells - BusinessDen [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- Northern Colorado Doctor Exploring New Non-Surgical Methods for Treating Neck Pain - Benzinga [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- Northern Colorado Surgeon Releases Three Year Results of Bone Marrow Stem Cell Treatment - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2017]
- Australian of the Year Alan Mackay-Sim on the advantage of being 'an interested scientist' - The Sydney Morning Herald [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2017]
- Climbing mountains for cancer research - The Wilton Bulletin [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- Overcoming Opioids: The quest for less addictive drugs - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- Stem Cell Transplants May Work for MS, Study Says - LWW Journals (blog) [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- 'Priming' protein boosts stem cell response to injury, promotes healing - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- Is Autologous Heamatopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Still Viable for MS? - LWW Journals [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2017]
- Chattanooga Student Surprised to be a Gift of Life Donor - WDEF News 12 [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2017]
- Giraffe 'sneakers' in use at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! - KKTV 11 News [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2017]
- For the first time ever, researchers produced lab-grown blood stem cells - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2017]
- How a simple cheek swab can save a life - FOX31 Denver [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2017]
- Ground broken on new $US65 million facility at Colorado State University - Horsetalk [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2017]
- SpaceX to launch CU-built heart, bone health experiments to space station - CU Boulder Today [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2017]
- Translational Medicine Institute launched at Colorado State University - Source [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2017]
- What happens when scientists leave their labs to experiment with politics? - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Regenexx: injections soon will replace orthopedic surgery - Broomfield Enterprise [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- 'Little Frankenstein,' conceived so Minnesota doctors could save sister, is now a happy teen - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2017]
- Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinic in Vail & Denver, Colorado ... [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2017]
- Stem Cell Therapy - Colorado Springs Orthopedics [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2017]
- Stem Cell PRP Therapy | Colorado Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2018]
- Stem Cell Therapy Denver Colorado - Colorado Rehabilitation [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2018]
- Stem Cell Therapy in Colorado | Aspen Integrative Medicine [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2018]
- Pepsi: Aborted Baby Cells in Drink Research | Colorado ... [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2018]
- In Depth About Regenerative Therapy | Regen Colorado [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2018]
- Stem Cell Therapy | Spine & Joint Solutions - Colorado Springs [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2018]
- Colorado Stem Cell Therapy | Home [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2018] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2018]
- FAQ | Colorado Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2018] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2018]
- Stem Cell Fraud | Colorado Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2018]
- Using Stem Cells to Treat Sepsis - Stem Cell Centers, Colorado [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2018]
- Stem Cell Therapy - Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group [Last Updated On: January 16th, 2019] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2019]