Cancer Is to Embryology as Mutation Is to Genetics: Hypothesis of the Cancer as Embryological Phenomenon

Figure 3

Human gastrulation. During gastrulation, epiblast cells at the primitive streak undergo Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) as a result of signals produced by the Spemann organizer or internal determinants. The migratory mesenchymal cells are interacting with the embryonic context in a different way: microenvironment 1 (MicroE 1), only with the hypoblast, exactly, in the middle region of the embryo. Microenvironment 2 (MicroE 2), simultaneously with the hypoblast and the extraembryonic mesoderm (EXE M) in lateral ends of the embryonic disc. Adapted from Micalizzi et al., [79].