Heterogeneity and proliferation of invasive cancer subclones in game theory models of the Warburg effect.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The Warburg effect, a switch from aerobic energy production to anaerobic glycolysis, promotes tumour proliferation and motility by inducing acidification of the tumour microenvironment. Therapies that reduce acidity could impair tumour growth and invasiveness. I analysed the dynamics of cell proliferation and of resistance to therapies that target acidity, in a population of cells, under the Warburg effect.

Materials and methods

The dynamics of mutant cells with increased glycolysis and motility has been assessed in a multi-player game with collective interactions in the framework of evolutionary game theory. Perturbations of the level of acidity in the microenvironment have been used to simulate the effect of therapies that target glycolysis.

Results

The n

SUBMITTER: Archetti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4964921 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature