July 2021 PMID 33984158

Cancer progression as a sequence of atavistic reversions.

Charles H Lineweaver, Kimberly J Bussey, Anneke C Blackburn, Paul C W Davies

Mentions

21
Peak: 6 in Feb 2023
across 3 sources since May 2021

Extended reach

3,047,801
potential audience

Total likes

251

Video views

5,271

Mentions per month

May 2021 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter17 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • News2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Throughout the discussions, posters express strong agreement and fascination with the atavistic hypothesis, describing it as a revolutionary idea and linking it to compelling genetic and evolutionary evidence. Words like 'excellent,' 'interesting,' and 'game changer,' along with shared endorsements of related videos, highlight the deep engagement and potential shift in understanding sparked by the article.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions show strong support for the atavistic model of cancer, with several posters explicitly endorsing the theory and referencing its compelling logic.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions reveal high curiosity and enthusiasm, with posters describing the hypothesis as 'interesting,' 'one of the best ideas,' and 'an excellent explanation,' indicating deep engagement.

EngagementHigh engagement

Postings include references to explanations, personal reactions, and shared resources, demonstrating active participation and reflection on the theory’s implications.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions suggest that the article influences ideas about cancer progression significantly, with some posters declaring a departure from traditional views and adopting the new perspective, implying a transformative impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Cancer progression is seen as a series of reversions to an ancient unicellular state, evolving from multicellularity back to a more primitive form.
  • The atavistic model of cancer predicts these reversionary transitions can be analyzed using genomic data, supported by evidence from phylostratigraphy studies.
  • The researchers suggest that cancer involves multiple reversion stages linked to key evolutionary transitions, such as eukaryogenesis and the development of adaptive immunity, and propose improvements to current methods for studying these processes.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Naval
@naval · X

@travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellular to unicellular behavior. Essentially cancer cells go back to “every cell for itself. https://t.co/HwjIMaGi7o

Feb 16, 2023 · 47 likes · 6 shares · 2,946,861 followers View post →
Darryl B McConnell
@D_B_McConnell · X

Ok it’s official, I am no longer a follower of the somatic mutation theory of cancer and am an atavistic model of cancer convert thanks to Lineweaver, Davies and Fung. This short YouTube video by Charley is a great intro. https://t.co/uAa3P1VGXy

Jan 15, 2022 · 4 likes · 1 share · 8,482 followers View post →
Jarle Breivik
@jarlebreivik · X

@iatrogenful @RubenMoor Thanks @iatrogenful. Yes, there is clearly a connection to the atavistic theory of cancer as presented in this paper by Lineweaver et al. (https://t.co/WssqQQKtKM). Cancer development may be seen as a "reversion" from the multicellular to unicellular state. Accordingly, it seems

Jan 3, 2024 · 2 likes · 1,453 followers View post →
robert iolini
@robert_iolini · X

An excellent explanation of an alternative theory of cancer progression. https://t.co/5YbHEO48ZM

Nov 26, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 5 followers View post →
Grace Price
@travelingenes · X

RT @naval: @travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellula…

Feb 17, 2023 · 6 shares · 64,775 followers View post →
Ghana News Summary
@ghnewssummary · X

RT @naval: @travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellula…

Feb 26, 2023 · 6 shares · 11,480 followers View post →

All mentions

EMI MORITA@Art Film Producer
@EmiArtFilm · X

RT @robert_iolini: An excellent explanation of an alternative theory of cancer progression. https://t.co/5YbHEO48ZM

Dec 1, 2024 · 1 share · 15 followers View post →
robert iolini
@robert_iolini · X

An excellent explanation of an alternative theory of cancer progression. https://t.co/5YbHEO48ZM

Nov 26, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 5 followers View post →
Jarle Breivik
@jarlebreivik · X

@iatrogenful @RubenMoor Thanks @iatrogenful. Yes, there is clearly a connection to the atavistic theory of cancer as presented in this paper by Lineweaver et al. (https://t.co/WssqQQKtKM). Cancer development may be seen as a "reversion" from the multicellular to unicellular state. Accordingly, it seems

Jan 3, 2024 · 2 likes · 1,453 followers View post →
Crazy Fetus
@crazedfetus · X

RT @naval: @travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellula…

Nov 29, 2023 · 6 shares · 124 followers View post →
Johnnyvee 333
@Johnnyvee333 · X

@FatEmperor Are you familiar with the atavistic hypothesis Ivor? I think it's one of the best ideas ever within the field of biology... https://t.co/DIHk9BpO9H

Jun 14, 2023 · 28 followers View post →
Boone Davidson
@BooneDavidson1 · X

https://t.co/yNvpwYDMit

Apr 15, 2023 · 175 followers View post →
Brad Allen
@Ulmo_Space · X

RT @naval: @travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellula…

Mar 11, 2023 · 6 shares · 1,071 followers View post →
Ghana News Summary
@ghnewssummary · X

RT @naval: @travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellula…

Feb 26, 2023 · 6 shares · 11,480 followers View post →
Apollo
@MindsFiction · X

RT @naval: @travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellula…

Feb 17, 2023 · 6 shares · 3,726 followers View post →
Joshua Carter
@JoshuaCarter603 · X

RT @naval: @travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellula…

Feb 17, 2023 · 6 shares · 250 followers View post →
Grace Price
@travelingenes · X

RT @naval: @travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellula…

Feb 17, 2023 · 6 shares · 64,775 followers View post →
Black_Panther
@nimo_1992 · X

@travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellular to unicellular behavior. Essentially cancer cells go back to “every cell for itself. https://t.co/xIa0rEPLfi

Feb 16, 2023 · 12 followers View post →
Naval
@naval · X

@travelingenes Charlie Lineweaver, Paul Davies, et al have an interesting hypothesis that cancer is a reversal from multicellular to unicellular behavior. Essentially cancer cells go back to “every cell for itself. https://t.co/HwjIMaGi7o

Feb 16, 2023 · 47 likes · 6 shares · 2,946,861 followers View post →
Art of eVan
@ArtofeVan · X

Cancer progression as a sequence of atavistic reversions… https://t.co/UkDOX8MYDT

Dec 23, 2022 · 1,605 followers View post →
Ahzek Ahriman
@unboundexile · X

Cancer progression as a sequence of atavistic reversions https://t.co/L7moOIAR8v

Jul 15, 2022 · 214 followers View post →
Darryl B McConnell
@D_B_McConnell · X

Ok it’s official, I am no longer a follower of the somatic mutation theory of cancer and am an atavistic model of cancer convert thanks to Lineweaver, Davies and Fung. This short YouTube video by Charley is a great intro. https://t.co/uAa3P1VGXy

Jan 15, 2022 · 4 likes · 1 share · 8,482 followers View post →
Siegfried Treitner
@TreitnerS · X

#Cancer #progression as a sequence of atavistic reversions https://t.co/1ZRr8taChe

May 23, 2021 · 2,145 followers View post →
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