The phylogeny of oncology

Mol Biother. 1990 Sep;2(3):137-44.

Abstract

A review of reproductive biology and oncologic immunology reveals striking similarities between the tolerance of neoantigen as demonstrated in pregnancy and cancer. The author discusses the phylogeny of sexual reproduction and the oncologic condition, and suggests that an evolved mechanism of acquired tolerance to HLA-incompatible tissue necessitated by sexual reproduction consequently provides a mechanism for the tolerance of cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / physiology
  • Labor, Obstetric / physiology
  • Lampreys
  • Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Phylogeny*
  • Pregnancy
  • Reproduction / immunology