Non-cell-autonomous driving of tumour growth supports sub-clonal heterogeneity.

ABSTRACT: Cancers arise through a process of somatic evolution that can result in substantial sub-clonal heterogeneity within tumours. The mechanisms responsible for the coexistence of distinct sub-clones and the biological consequences of this coexistence remain poorly understood. Here we used a mouse xenograft model to investigate the impact of sub-clonal heterogeneity on tumour phenotypes and the competitive expansion of individual clones. We found that tumour growth can be driven by a minor cell subpopulation, which enhances the proliferation of all cells within a tumour by overcoming environmental constraints and yet can be outcompeted by faster proliferating competitors, resulting in tumour collapse. We developed a mathematical modelling framework to identify the rules underlying the generatio

SUBMITTER: Marusyk A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4184961 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature