Cancer cells adapt through a variety of mechanisms:
Genetic Mutations: Frequent mutations allow cancer cells to develop resistance to drugs and other therapies. Epigenetic Changes: These are reversible modifications in gene expression that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence but can still affect cellular behavior. Metabolic Flexibility: Cancer cells can alter their metabolic pathways to utilize different nutrients, making them less susceptible to therapies aimed at starving them of specific nutrients. Microenvironmental Interaction: They can interact with their tumor microenvironment to promote their own survival, often inducing supportive changes in surrounding tissues.
