Scott, J.G., Dhawan, A., Hjelmeland, A. et al. (6 more authors) (2019) Recasting the cancer stem cell hypothesis: Unification using a continuum model of microenvironmental forces. Current Stem Cell Reports, 5 (1). pp. 22-30. ISSN 2198-7866
Abstract
Purpose of review
Here, we identify shortcomings of standard compartment-based mathematical models of cancer stem-cells, and propose a continuous formalism which includes the tumor microenvironment.
Recent findings
Stem-cell models of tumor growth have provided explanations for various phenomena in oncology including, metastasis, drug- and radio-resistance, and functional heterogeneity in the face of genetic homogeneity. While some of the newer models allow for plasticity, or de-differentiation, there is no consensus on the mechanisms driving this. Recent experimental evidence suggests that tumor microenvironment factors like hypoxia, acidosis, and nutrient deprivation have causative roles.
Summary
To settle the dissonance between the mounting experimental evidence surrounding the effects of the microenvironment on tumor stemness, we propose a continuous mathematical model where we model microenvironmental perturbations like forces, which then shape the distribution of stemness within the tumor. We propose methods by which to systematically measure and characterize these forces, and show results of a simple experiment which support our claims.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Current Stem Cell Reports. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Cancer stem cell hypothesis; Mathematical model; Partial differential equations |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > School of Mathematics and Statistics (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 05 Mar 2019 13:16 |
Last Modified: | 17 May 2024 14:51 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Springer Verlag |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s40778-019-0153-0 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:143183 |