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Table 2 Similarities between trophoblast maturation and tumor cell self-renewal

From: Stem cells, senescence, neosis and self-renewal in cancer

Properties

Trophoblast

Tumor cell

1. Subject to ageing and senescence

Yes

Yes

2. Polyploidization by endomitosis and endoreduplication

Yes

Yes

3. Polyploid giant cell undergoes neosis

Yes

Yes

4. Activation of telomerase

Yes

Yes

5. Multiple neotic offspring

Yes

Yes

6. Degradation and migration through extracellular matrix

Yes

Yes

7. Secretion of proteases degrades extracellular matrix

Yes

Yes

8. Invasive properties

Yes

Yes

9. Proteolysis of thrombin receptor

Yes

Yes

10. Stimulation of invasive properties

Yes

Yes

11. Evasion of immune rejection

Yes

Yes

12. Activation of protooncogenes

Yes

Yes

13. Growth control by tumor suppressor genes

Yes. Under normal circumstances

No – Lost during neoplastic transformation

14. MLS of Raju cells or their equivalent

Limited MLS and perish at the end of pregnancy

Limited. Can extend MLS via repetitive S/T-neosis.