Cancer in 4D: toward Spatiotemporal Hallmark Ecosystems - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #cancer evolution
- #spatiotemporal biology
- #tumor ecosystem
- The Hallmarks of Cancer framework is static and lacks spatiotemporal context.
- Spatiotemporal Hallmark Ecosystems redefine the functional unit of selection in cancer evolution.
- Hallmarks are context-dependent phenotypes influenced by local tissue and microenvironmental conditions.
- This perspective explains why identical mutations yield divergent outcomes and why premalignant states persist.
- Therapeutic resistance emerges from 'ecological buffering' by tumor architecture, not just clonal selection.
- Shifting analysis from individual cells to ecosystems can lead to predictive biomarkers and spatially aware therapies.