From Reductionism to Holism: Systems-oriented Approaches in Cancer Research:

Global Advances in Health and Medicine

GunverKienle¹ 

关键词: Cancer;    reductionism;    holism;    biology;    lymphoma;    leukemia;    organism;    systems medicine;   

DOI  :  10.7453/gahmj.2012.1.5.015

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

Somatic mutation theory of cancer has directed cancer research during the last century. A deluge of information on cellular, molecular, and genetic behavior was uncovered, but so was a mind-numbing complexity that still challenges research and concepts, and expectations in the war on cancer have by and large not been fulfilled. A change of paradigm beyond reductionism has been called for, especially as research ubiquitously points at the importance of tissue, microenvironment, extracellular matrix, embryonic and morphogenetic fields, and fields of tissue maintenance and organization in the processes of carcinogenesis, cancer control, and cancer progression, as well as in the control of cellular and genetic behavior. Holistic, organismic systems concepts open new perspectives for cancer research and treatment, as well as general biological understanding.

【 授权许可】

CC BY