G.‐M. Hu1, Chih-Yu Lee1, Yanhui CHEN2, Ning-Ning Pang1, Wen-Jer Tzeng3
1Physics Department, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
2National Center for Theoretical Sciences Physics Department Institute of Astrophysics National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan
3Physics Department Tamkang University New Taipei City Taiwan
Tóm tắt
AbstractObjectivesCancer is a complex biological occurrence which is difficult to describe clearly and explain its growth development. As such, novel concepts, such as of heterogeneity and signalling pathways, grow exponentially and many mathematical models accommodating the latest knowledge have been proposed. Here, we present a simple mathematical model that exhibits many characteristics of experimental data, using prostate carcinoma cell spheroids under treatment.Materials and methodsWe have modelled cancer as a two‐subpopulation system, with one subpopulation representing a cancer stem cell state, and the other a normal cancer cell state. As a first approximation, these follow a logistical growth model with self and competing capacities, but they can transform into each other by using an autocrine signalling pathway.Results and conclusionBy analysing regulation behaviour of each of the system parameters, we show that the model exhibits many characteristics of actual cancer growth curves. Features reproduced in this model include delayed phase of evolving cancer under 17AAG treatment, and bi‐stable behaviour under treatment by irradiation. In addition, our interpretation of the system parameters corresponds well with known facts involving 17AAG treatment. This model may thus provide insight into some of the mechanisms behind cancer.
