Evo–Devo and the evolution of cancer: A hypothesis for metamorphic therapies for the cancers of prolactin-influenced tumourigenesis: With special reference to glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)

Abstract

Recalling the remarkable developmental similarities between cancer cells and embryonic tissues, this paper argues that, by the process of retrodifferentiation and heterochronization, stem cells that have become neoplastic could be said to have undergone "cellular heterochrony." It theorizes, therefore, that hormones are the major factor in the non-random regulation of cellular heterochrony in tumourigenesis. Two recent articles confirm that there is low thyroxine and high prolactin in glioblastomas. Thyroxine metamorphoses vertebrates' tissues so as to mature the tissues, e.g., in amphibian metamorphosis. In 1896, thyroxine (horse thyroid extract) was the first successful hormonal product to be used against a fulminating breast cancer. Recent work confirms the important role of prolactin in the induction and progression of mammary, prostate and colorectal tumours. Although the pituitary is the main source of prolactin in vertebrates, there is also placental production of prolactin, and paracrine production of prolactin by tumours themselves. Since tumours produce their own prolactin, shutting down the pituitary source has not proven wholly successful. Research to find prolactin receptor antagonists is ongoing. Therefore, prolactin inhibitors (dopamine agonists), prolactin receptor antagonists, plus thyroxine comprise a plausible metamorphic therapy for shrinking solid tumour mass. By contrast with "differentiation" therapies currently sought by stem cell oncologists, this paper advocates "metamorphic" therapies, to introduce hormonal oncological knowledge of how to modulate signalling pathways that are aberrant in the stem cells that give rise to tumours. Despite subtle differences in these signalling translation pathways and cascades, strategies exist that will allow these evolved populations, going back to their stem precursors, to "metamorphose" or perhaps apoptotically cease proliferation.