Abstract
In this paper, we outline the status quo and approaches to further development of the systems biology concepts with focus on applications in cancer prevention science. We discuss the biological aspects of cancer research that are of primary importance in cancer prevention, motivations for their mathematical modeling and some recent advances in computational oncology. We also make an attempt to outline in big conceptual terms the contours of future work aimed at creation of large-scale computational and informational infrastructure for using as a routine tool in cancer prevention science and decision making.
Highlights
Cancer is a collective term for a number of multi-factorial and heterogeneous diseases characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth
After all the modules comprising the system are described and tested in a rule-based or semi-quantitative manner, the full power of mathematical and computational methods may be applied selectively to those modules which are found to be really critical and do require to be analyzed in fine details. It is becoming increasingly recognized in scientific community that a systems biology approach should prove invaluable and even necessary to understand, simulate, predict and control complex biological processes such as carcinogenesis and to develop effective strategies in cancer prevention
We have outlined the status quo and possible ways of development of a computerized model oriented towards application in cancer prevention
Summary
Cancer is a collective term for a number of multi-factorial and heterogeneous diseases characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth. Systems biology aims to understand and describe complex biological systems and develop predictive models for physiological and pathological processes and apply them to control of disease states such as carcinogenesis. While the reductionist approach has provided valuable information on individual molecular targets and their function, additional knowledge on spatial and temporal dynamic characteristics and complex interconnections in biological systems are needed for understanding and modulation of biological processes [8]. Against the backdrop of such monumental efforts in systems biology in general, and in the systems biology of cancer in particular, it seems almost surreal, if not regrettable, how small is still the role that applications of systems biology play in cancer prevention It is noted in [34]: “Remarkably, despite the wealth of information, clinical oncologists and tumor biologists possess virtually no comprehensive theoretical model to serve as a framework for understanding, organizing and applying these data. This paper is intended to provide a view on how to initiate a major effort to activate the role of systems biology in cancer prevention
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