Stem-Cell Theory of Cancer: Implications for Antiaging and Anticancer Strategies

SIMPLE SUMMARY: A stem-cell theory of cancer connects aging with cancer. It indicates that aging is a stemness process and cancer is a stem-cell disease. It implicates that a pertinent scientific strategy and proper research endeavor may provide us with realistic antiaging objectives and superior anticancer outcomes. In this perspective, we illustrate that a stem-cell origin of aging and cancer reiterates a fundamental oncological principle: although genetic makeup may be pivotal, cellular context is paramount. When the genome and epigenome that regulate aging and malignancy are also stemness genes and stem-like properties, they reaffirm the essential role stem-cell quality and quantity play in our lifespan and in the formation of cancer. ABSTRACT: A stem-cell theory of cancer predicates that not only does the cell affect the niche, the niche also affects the cell. It implicates that even though genetic makeup may be supreme, cellular context is key. When we attempt to solve the mystery of a long cancer-free life, perhaps we need to search no further than the genetics and epigenetics of the naked mole-rat. When we try to unlock the secrets in the longevity and quality of life, perhaps we need to look no further than the lifestyle and habits of the super centenarians. We speculate that people with Down’s syndrome and progeria age faster but have fewer cancers, because they are depleted of stem cells, and, as a consequence, have fewer opportunities for stem cell defects that could predispose them to the development of cancer. We contemplate whether these incredible experiments of nature may provide irrefutable evidence that cancer is a stem-cell disease—fewer aberrant stem cells, fewer cancers; no defective stem cells, no cancer. In this perspective, we investigate a stem-cell origin of aging and cancer. We elaborate an intriguing inverse relationship between longevity and malignancy in the naked mole-rat, in Down’s syndrome, and in progeria. We postulate that stem-cell pools and stemness factors may affect aging and dictate cancer. We propose that a healthy microbiome may protect and preserve stem cell reserves and provide meaningful antiaging effects and anticancer benefits.