Theories on Cancer Origin
“Knowing the origin of cancer would have profound implications on our current conception and perception of cancer. It would affect our conduct in cancer research and our delivery of cancer care.”
Shi-Ming Tu, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Theories on Cancer Origin
Somatic Mutation Theory (SMT)
The somatic mutation theory has been the prevailing paradigm in cancer research for the last 50 years.
This article says: In a nutshell, the somatic mutation theory (SMT) of cancer is that a change in the DNA of a somatic cell alters its characteristics so that it undergoes clonal expansion. Cells within this population acquire further mutations so that eventually a sub-clone emerges that is able to grow or metastasize sufficiently to cause death of the host.
Note: This theory is now being seriously questioned because of the poor success rate of the treatments based on it (chemo, radiation etc).
See:
Somatic Mutation Theory – Why it’s Wrong for Most Cancers
Paradoxical Behavior of Oncogenes Undermines the Somatic Mutation Theory
Tissue Organization Field Theory (TOFT)
In this article the authors state: The somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis has been the dominant force driving cancer research during the 20th century…We propose the adoption of an alternative theory, the tissue organization field theory of carcinogenesis and neoplasia. Its basic premises are that (1) proliferation is the default state of all cells and (2) carcinogenesis and neoplasia are defects of tissue architecture. Carcinogens would act initially by disrupting the normal interactions that take place among cells…
Immunological Theory
This theory has been associated with three general steps the body constantly goes through: elimination, equilibrium and escape. The elimination step consists of the immune system surveying for all cancerous cells and destroying them. However, there are times when tumorous cells remain undetected while remaining dormant. This period is defined as equilibrium because there are cancerous cells in the body, but they are not doing any harm. The final step is escape in which the tumor gains dominance over the immune system and starts spreading (Lopez, et al., 2016). This implies that the immune system’s activity and ability to detect cancerous cells is important before the cancer gets out of hand. Source
Viral Theory
Viruses cause cancer – Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) causes liver cancer, Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) causes nasopharyngeal cancer and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) causes cervical cancer.
This study says: We postulate that a virus is more likely to cause cancer when it infects a progenitor stem-like cell rather than a progeny differentiated cell.
Bacterial Theory
Bacteria and bacterial infections can act as potential carcinogens and tumor promoters. The production of bacterial toxins, enzymes, and oncogenic peptides can all significantly contribute to tumor development by promoting inflammation, interfering with cell cycle control, and disrupting cell signaling pathways. Other studies have also corroborated the fact that microbiota-mediated infection stimulates cancer cell proliferation by targeting host cell DNA, altering the immune system, and promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
Helicobacter pylori infection is implicated in the etiology of gastric cancer, and persistent Chlamydia infections present a risk factor for the development of cervical carcinoma, especially in patients with the human papillomavirus (HPV) coinfection. Salmonella typhi infections are linked with gallbladder cancer, and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is implicated in lung cancer, etc. Source
Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory
This article says:
According to the MMT, cancer arises from a gradual disruption of ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) leading to compensatory ATP synthesis through substrate level phosphorylation. It is defective OxPhos that ultimately causes most of the genomic changes in cancer…The disruption of OxPhos leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are mutagenic and carcinogenic. The genomic instability and somatic mutations seen in most cancers arise as a consequence of the chronic production of ROS and acidification of the microenvironment.
Proposed Treatment Protocol
Ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT)
Glucose and glutamine are the two major fermentable fuels for cancer cells. Glucose drives tumor growth through glycolysis in the cytoplasm, while glutamine drives tumor growth through glutaminolysis in the mitochondria. Restriction of fermentable fuels is therefore an effective therapeutic strategy for cancer management. Ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) lowers blood glucose while elevating blood ketone bodies, a “super fuel” for normal cells, but a nonfermentable fuel for cancer cells. The efficacy of KMT for cancer management can be enhanced when used together with glutamine-targeting drugs and procedures that further inhibit fermentation. Source
Mitochondrial-Stem Cell Connection
In a recently published study, a new concept was introduced the mitochondrial-stem cell connection (MSCC). This concept combines the cancer stem cell theory and the metabolic theory.
The mitochondrial–stem cell connection (MSCC) proposes that tumorigenesis may result from an alteration of the mitochondria, specifically a chronic oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) insufficiency in stem cells, which forms cancer stem cells (CSCs) and leads to malignancy
Source: Mitochondrial–Stem Cell Connection: Providing Additional Explanations for Understanding Cancer Martinez et al.
Proposed Treatment Protocol
See Mitochondrial-Stem Cell Connection page
Cell Suppression Theory
Proposed by Mark Lintern
“Challenging the mainstream narrative, I have amassed a formidable body of evidence that indicates cancer is one disease that is triggered and mediated by a number of opportunistic intracellular pathogens. Taking advantage of chronic inflammation to sustain an infection, leads to the symptoms that we refer to collectively as ‘cancer.”
Proposed Treatment Protocol (35 key considerations).
See Cell Suppression Theory page