An Evolutionary Genetic Perspective on Cancer Biology

Abstract

Cancer biology can be better understood by drawing upon methods and concepts from evolutionary genetics. Cancer progression proceeds through somatic evolution, being driven by selection on clonal lineages via the differential survival and proliferation of cell lines. This within-patient evolution can be modeled and analyzed using population genetic and phylogenetic tools to identify mutations and genotypes that are under directional selection during tumor growth, spatial differentiation, and metastasis. Evolutionary genetics can also explain the persistence of cancer within populations. A minority of cancers are associated with inherited risk alleles, which are maintained in populations through genetic drift or antagonistic pleiotropy. Finally, cancer biology can be understood from a macroevolutionary perspective as a case study of evolutionary cooperation and conflict between different levels of biological organization.