Abstract
Computational models in the field of cancer research have focused primarily on estimates of biological events based on laboratory generated data. We introduce a novel in-silico technology that takes us to the next level of prediction models and facilitates innovative solutions through the mathematical system. The model's building blocks are cells defined phenotypically as normal or tumor, with biological processes translated into equations describing the life protocols of the cells in a quantitative and stochastic manner. The essentials of communication in a society composed of normal and tumor cells are explored to reveal “protocols” for selective tumor eradication. Results consistently identify “citizenship properties” among cells that are essential for the induction of healing processes in a healthy system invaded by cancer. These properties act via inter-cellular communication protocols that can be optimized to induce tumor eradication along with system recovery. Within the computational systems, the protocols universally succeed in removing a wide variety of tumors defined by proliferation rates, initial volumes, and apoptosis resistant phenotypes; they show high adaptability for biological details and allow incorporation of population heterogeneity. These protocols work as long as at least 32% of cells obey extra-cellular commands and at least 28% of cancer cells report their deaths. This low percentage implies that the protocols are resilient to the suboptimal situations often seen in biological systems. We conclude that our in-silico model is a powerful tool to investigate, to propose, and to exercise logical anti-cancer solutions. Functional results should be confirmed in a biological system and molecular findings should be loaded into the computational model for the next level of directed experiments.
Highlights
Cancer incidence is expected to rise worldwide from 12 million new people affected annually in the year 2000 to an anticipated 20 million in the year 2030, highlighting the urgent need to identify highly effective preventative and therapeutic interventions
Our model provides a framework to assess several important questions in Oncology: What kind of information flow inside and between cells may be associated with tumor development and progression; What kind of inter-cellular communication keeps tumor cells dormant; Do current therapies bias some of the natural flow to explain their temporary benefit; And what are the principles of successful intercellular communication rules that would enable selective tumor cells’ apoptosis
Tumor Developmental Model A tumor cell originates through mutations to basic life protocols of a normal cell, and may occur only through particular orderings of mutations that bypass normal guarding mechanisms: repair, apoptosis, proliferation-suppression, and distance regulation
Summary
Cancer incidence is expected to rise worldwide from 12 million new people affected annually in the year 2000 to an anticipated 20 million in the year 2030, highlighting the urgent need to identify highly effective preventative and therapeutic interventions. Our model provides a framework to assess several important questions in Oncology: What kind of information flow inside and between cells may be associated with tumor development and progression; What kind of inter-cellular communication keeps tumor cells dormant; Do current therapies bias some of the natural flow to explain their temporary benefit; And what are the principles of successful intercellular communication rules that would enable selective tumor cells’ apoptosis (programmed cell death). The latter subject is the focus of this manuscript
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