Solving the puzzle of metastasis: the evolution of cell migration in neoplasms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Metastasis represents one of the most clinically important transitions in neoplastic progression. The evolution of metastasis is a puzzle because a metastatic clone is at a disadvantage in competition for space and resources with non-metastatic clones in the primary tumor. Metastatic clones waste some of their reproductive potential on emigrating cells with little chance of establishing metastases. We suggest that resource heterogeneity within primary tumors selects for cell migration, and that cell emigration is a by-product of that selection.

Methods and findings

We developed an agent-based model to simulate the evolution of neoplastic cell migration. We simulated the essential dynamics of neoangiogenesis and blood vessel occlusion that lead to resource heteroge

SUBMITTER: Chen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3083389 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature