Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ ZENODOarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

From Cell-Centric to System-Centric Carcinogenesis: The Repair and Capacity Adaptation (RCA) Conceptual Framework

Authors: Liisberg, Christian; Olsen, Finn Ernst;

From Cell-Centric to System-Centric Carcinogenesis: The Repair and Capacity Adaptation (RCA) Conceptual Framework

Abstract

This preprint presents the Repair and Capacity Adaptation (RCA) Conceptual Framework, a systems-biology model that explains carcinogenesis as a failure of progenitor-cell maturation within a degraded connective-tissue microenvironment. Whereas the Somatic Mutation Theory (SMT) defines cancer as a stochastic, cell-autonomous process driven by sequential genetic hits, quantitative analysis shows that such multi-hit events are statistically incompatible with realistic lineage lifespans. Experimental studies further demonstrate that malignant phenotypes can revert in normal tissue contexts, indicating that phenotype is controlled by environment rather than genome. The RCA framework unites these findings by describing cancer as a systemic disorder of repair and differentiation control. When the fibroblast-derived Reticular Lamina (ReL) loses mechanical and biochemical integrity, differentiation cues collapse and proliferative progenitors become trapped in an immature, self-replicating state. This mechanism generalizes across organs—from prostate and epithelium to muscle, brain, and bone marrow—linking cancer, fibrosis, and degeneration as expressions of the same regulatory failure. This work builds upon our previously published quantitative analysis of SMT limits (Olsen & Liisberg, 2025a, bioRxiv 10.1101/2025.10.17.683033) and forms Part II of the series From Cell-Centric to System-Centric Carcinogenesis. Independent research conducted under the TINAP Association (Transdisciplinary Innovation Network Against Prostate Cancer), Denmark. Keywords: cancer systems biology; progenitor cells; extracellular matrix; differentiation arrest; RCA framework; somatic mutation theory; prostate cancer; regenerative oncology

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    1
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
1
Average
Average
Average
Green
Related to Research communities
Cancer Research