Embracing complexity in Drosophila cancer models

Abstract

Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, largely due to metastases and cachexia. It is a complex disease that is commonly associated with a variety of comorbidities. With global increases in ageing populations and obesity, multimorbidity is a rapidly growing clinical issue in the context of cancer. Cancer is also genetically heterogeneous, with a tumour’s unique profile determining its incidence of metastasis, degree of cachexia and response to therapeutics. These complexities of human cancer are difficult to replicate in animal models and are, in part, responsible for the failures in translational cancer research. In this Perspective, we highlight the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a powerful model organism to investigate multimorbidity and tumour diversity. We also highlight how harnessing these complexities in Drosophila can, potentially, enhance cancer research and advance therapeutic discoveries.