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Review
. 2020 Jan;88(1):3-11.
doi: 10.1007/s00239-019-09893-5. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

Frontiers in Molecular Evolutionary Medicine

Stephen C Stearns  1
Affiliations
Review

Frontiers in Molecular Evolutionary Medicine

Stephen C Stearns. J Mol Evol. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

This paper surveys some of the important insights that molecular evolution has contributed to evolutionary medicine; they include phage therapy, cancer biology, helminth manipulation of the host immune system, quality control of gametes, and pathogen outbreaks. Molecular evolution has helped to revolutionize our understanding of cancer, of autoimmune disease, and of the origin, spread, and pathogenesis of emerging diseases, where it has suggested new therapies, illuminated mechanisms, and revealed historical processes: all have practical therapeutic implications. While much has been accomplished, much remains to be done.

Keywords: Autoimmune disease; Cancer; Emerging diseases; Evolutionary medicine; Phage therapy.

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