Table 1.

Comparison of Burnets Clonal Selection Theory with the Tumor Evolution Theory

Burnet's Clonal Selection Theory	Tumor Evolution Theory
Focuses on the functions of lymphocytes, specifically their response to antigens that attack the body	Focuses on the significance of natural selection in the development of cancers
Strives to explain how the immune system responds to infections and how it is related to tumor development	Strives to explain how fit somatic cell variants develop genetic diversity and how those with extensive self-renewal ability develop in the tumor microenvironment
Emphasizes the role of B and T lymphocyte selection in the destruction of particular antigens	Emphasizes the process and mechanisms by which selection and evolution lead to the emergence of tumor cell variants that are resistant to the immune response
Based on the expression and suppression of molecules such as p53 tumor suppressor protein, proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, the Fas receptor, cytotoxic lymphocytes, and cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP)	Based on somatic mutations, such as mutations in LMP 2, LMP7, TAP, tapasin, BRCA1, and BRCA2