Dynamic Phenotypic Switching and Group Behavior Help Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Evade Chemotherapy.

ABSTRACT: Drug resistance, a major challenge in cancer therapy, is typically attributed to mutations and genetic heterogeneity. Emerging evidence suggests that dynamic cellular interactions and group behavior also contribute to drug resistance. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we present a new mathematical approach with game theoretical underpinnings that we developed to model real-time growth data of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and discern patterns in response to treatment with cisplatin. We show that the cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-tolerant NSCLC cells, when co-cultured in the absence or presence of the drug, display dynamic group behavior strategies. Tolerant cells exhibit a 'persister-like' behavior and are attenuated by sensitive cells; they

SUBMITTER: Nam A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8773639 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature