Stem Cell Theory of Cancer: Implications for Translational Research from Bedside to Bench

SIMPLE SUMMARY: To find the cause of our current failures in drug development and data reproducibility, we may need to search no further than the basic premises of translational research. To enhance cancer research and cancer care, we need to be diligent in the proper application of the scientific method. We postulate that a stem cell theory of cancer embraces genomic medicine and empowers integrated medicine. It alludes to a unified theory of cancer that may advance cancer research by emending translational research and enforcing the scientific method. It may enhance patient care by enabling targeted therapy and employing multimodal therapy, so that we treat the whole cancer and heal the whole patient. ABSTRACT: A stem cell theory of cancer considers genetic makeup in the proper cellular context. It is a unified theory of cancer that unites the genome with the epigenome, links the intracellular with the extracellular, and connects the cellular constituents and compartments with the microenvironment. Although it allies with genomic medicine, it is better aligned with integrated medicine. In this perspective, we focus on translational research in cancer care. We expose some intrinsic fallacies in translational research when it relates to the basic principles of the scientific method in the care of patients with genomic medicine versus integrated medicine. We postulate that genomic medicine may be at the root of many failed efforts in drug development and data reproducibility. We propose an alternate heuristic approach that may expedite the development of safe and effective treatments and minimize the generation of unproductive pharmaceutical products and nonreproducible experimental results. Importantly, a heuristic approach emphasizes the role of a pertinent scientific theory and distinguishes therapy development from drug development, such that we discover not only useful drugs but also better ways to use them in order to optimize patient care and maximize clinical outcomes.