Biologist Andrey Kozlov: “Man continues to evolve”
Cancer cells, which mankind has been trying in vain to exterminate for many decades, can probably make friends. The main thing is to understand why they appear in the body and why in some people they are in a “sleeping” state throughout their lives, while others are mercilessly destroyed. In Russia, a new theory of evolution has been put forward, based on the evolutionary transformation of tumors into useful organs. Its author, professor of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, head of the laboratory of gene neofunctionalization of the Institute of General Genetics. N.I. Vavilov Academy of Sciences Andrey KOZLOV revealed the essence of the doctrine.
The new theory of the evolutionary role of inherited tumors has been called carcino-evo-devo. An article about her was recently published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. According to scientists, it was from tumors that the female mammary gland and the male prostate developed millions of years ago, which now perform a number of necessary functions. Fat cells in obesity are able to penetrate into many organs, which indicates their tumor nature. The most interesting thing is that the process has not stopped — this is evidenced by evolutionary new genes, which, according to the theory, require additional cell masses, that is, tumors, for their expression (activity). If inherited tumors are an evolutionary link, then you can learn from evolution how to stabilize them, the author of the article believes.
— The list of major evolutionary theories includes Darwin's theory, genetics, synthetic theory of evolution (symbiosis of Darwinism and genetics) and the theory of evolution of individual development — «evo-devo». Our theory extends the evo-devo theory, which states that it is not only adults that evolve, but the entire ontogeny. We say that tumors take the most active part in this process. The new «carcino-evo-devo» theory argues that hereditary tumors in the early stages of progression that do not kill their hosts «drive» evolution by participating in the formation of evolutionarily new types of cells, tissues and organs. Thus, our theory considers three main types of biological development — evolutionary, individual and tumoral — within a single approach.
– Unlike the most studied malignant tumors, there are many tumors, which we are unaware of. Only pathologists see them when a person dies.
– These are our most evolutionarily young organs – the mammary and prostate glands.
– They have many tumor signs, including a high incidence of malignant neoplasms.
— Of course! The point is that by accepting the theory of the evolutionary role of inherited tumors (“carcino-evo-devo”), we can change our attitude towards tumors in principle.
It follows from the theory that tumors are an essential property living matter. Therefore, it is difficult to defeat cancer. But we can learn from evolution how it could be done.
– For example, with the help of TSEEN genes. This is a special class of genes — evolutionarily new genes that work in tumors. Their discovery, by the way, also belongs to our scientific group. One of these genes, called Brachyury, whose tumor specificity was first described by us, is currently being studied in 30 clinical trials worldwide.
— You have asked the most fundamental question — now all the theorists of the world are scratching their heads over this.
— This was one of the statements of our main hypothesis.
— This is another fundamental question to which no one can give an unambiguous answer yet. But everything points to the fact that the number of genes is increasing, and our genome is still evolving.
— In 1987, scientists knew about the existence of 12 oncogenes. In a paper published in 1987, I predicted that, according to the new theory, there should be more than 200 of them, according to the number of cell types described by that time.
– Yes, today we about four hundred oncogenes and the same number of differentiated cell types are known.
It is important to understand the evolutionary nature of tumors. If we succeed, we will receive the keys to the treatment of malignant diseases.
— Theoretically, yes, it is possible to calculate on a supercomputer how our genes can evolve. If we do this, then we can probably stabilize the cells of organs in humans, in which malignant tumors often occur. Only it will be a man-made man.