Li, KexinHuo, QingjiLi, Bai-YanYokota, Hiroki2023-11-292023-11-292023-02-27Li K, Huo Q, Li BY, Yokota H. Three unconventional maxims in the natural selection of cancer cells: Generation of induced tumor-suppressing cells (iTSCs). Int J Biol Sci. 2023;19(5):1403-1412. Published 2023 Feb 27. doi:10.7150/ijbs.79155https://hdl.handle.net/1805/37207Induced tumor-suppressing cells (iTSCs) can be generated from cancer and non-cancer cells. Here, three paradoxical maxims for the action of iTSCs are reviewed: the secretion of tumor-suppressing proteins, their role as a "double-edged" sword, and the elimination of lesser-fit cancer cells. "Super-fit" cancer cells secrete an array of proteins, most of which contribute to enhancing their growth and removing "lesser-fit" cancer cells. These maxims explain the potential dilemma with therapeutic agents since the inhibitory agents tend to promote the synthesis of tumor-promoting proteins. The maxims suggest the possibility of a novel treatment option using cancer-guided evolutionary-fit iTSCs.en-USAttribution 4.0 InternationalConditioned mediumiTSCsNatural selectionProtein cocktailTumor proteomeArticle