Selection-driven tumor evolution with public goods leads to patterns of clonal expansion consistent with neutral growth.

ABSTRACT: Cancers are the result of eco-evolutionary processes fueled by heritable phenotypic diversification and driven by environmentally dependent selection. Space represents a key growth-limiting ecological resource, the ability to explore this resource is likely under strong selection. Using agent-based modeling, we explored the interplay between phenotypic strategies centered on gaining access to new space through cell-extrinsic degradation of extracellular matrix barriers and the exploitation of this resource through maximizing cell proliferation. While cell proliferation is a cell-intrinsic property, newly accessed space represents a public good, which can benefit both producers and non-producers. We found that this interplay results in ecological succession, enabling emergence of large, het

SUBMITTER: Edwards J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7753957 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature