Inflammatory Auxo-Action in the Stem Cell Division Theory of Cancer
June 2023
in “
PeerJ
”
TLDR Chronic inflammation can cause cancer by making stem cells divide and mutate.
The document examines the stem cell division theory of cancer, focusing on the role of inflammation in cancer development. It suggests that cancer often begins with mutations during stem cell division, with inflammation acting as a catalyst by activating quiescent stem cells and promoting abnormal cell division. Inflammation has a dual role, aiding tissue repair and tumor suppression in acute cases, but promoting cancer in chronic cases by supporting cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the signaling pathways involved in stem cell activation and cancer cell development, as inflammation can lead to both tissue regeneration and tumorigenicity. It highlights the potential for inflammation to transform adult stem cells into cancer stem cells, contributing to cancer progression and metastasis. Understanding this interplay could lead to novel therapeutic interventions, suggesting that targeting inflammatory pathways might improve cancer treatment outcomes.