Social environment mediates cancer progression in Drosophila

Erika H. Dawson, Tiphaine P. M. Bailly, Julie Santos, Céline Moreno, Maëlle Devilliers, Brigitte Maroni, Cédric Sueur, Andreu Casali, Beata Ujvari, Frederic Thomas (), Jacques Montagne () and Frederic Mery ()
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Erika H. Dawson: CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay
Tiphaine P. M. Bailly: CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay
Julie Santos: CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay
Céline Moreno: CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay
Maëlle Devilliers: CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, CEA, UMR 9198
Brigitte Maroni: CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, CEA, UMR 9198
Cédric Sueur: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Andreu Casali: Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida Fundació Dr. Pifarré (IRBLleida)
Beata Ujvari: Deakin University
Frederic Thomas: CREEC, MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290
Jacques Montagne: CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, CEA, UMR 9198
Frederic Mery: CNRS, IRD, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The influence of oncogenic phenomena on the ecology and evolution of animal species is becoming an important research topic. Similar to host–pathogen interactions, cancer negatively affects host fitness, which should lead to the selection of host control mechanisms, including behavioral traits that best minimize the proliferation of malignant cells. Social behavior is suggested to influence tumor progression. While the ecological benefits of sociality in gregarious species are widely acknowledged, only limited data are available on the role of the social environment on cancer progression. Here, we exposed adult Drosophila, with colorectal-like tumors, to different social environments. We show how subtle variations in social structure have dramatic effects on the progression of tumor growth. Finally, we reveal that flies can discriminate between individuals at different stages of tumor development and selectively choose their social environment accordingly. Our study demonstrates the reciprocal links between cancer and social interactions and how sociality may impact health and fitness in animals and its potential implications for disease ecology.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05737-w

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