Speaker
Description
Natural selection plays a critical role in the evolution of cancer cells, driving their adaptation and survival within the tumor microenvironment. Cancer arises from genetic and epigenetic alterations that confer selective advantages to certain cells, allowing them to proliferate, evade immune responses, and resist therapies. Within a heterogeneous tumor population, selective pressures such as nutrient availability, immune surveillance, and treatment interventions favor the survival of the most fit cancer clones. This evolutionary process results in tumor progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance, mirroring Darwinian principles. Understanding cancer as an evolving system shaped by natural selection provides critical insights for developing strategies to predict and counteract its adaptive mechanisms.
