Work

Stochastic elimination of cancer cells

Year: 2003

Type: article

Abstract: Tissues of multicellular organisms consist of stem cells and differentiated cells. Stem cells divide to produce new stem cells or differentiated cells. Differentiated cells divide to produce new differentiated cells. We show that such a tissue design can reduce the rate of fixation of mutations that increase the net proliferation rate of cells. It has, however, no consequence for the rate of fixation of neutral mutations. We calculate the optimum relative abundance of stem cells that minimizes the rate of generating cancer cells. There is a critical fraction of stem cell divisions that is required for a stochastic elimination ('wash out') of cancer cells.

Source: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2003.2483

Authors: Franziska Michor, Martin A. Nowak, Steven A. Frank, Yoh Iwasa

Institutions: Harvard University, University of California, Irvine, Kyushu University

Language: English

Topic: Evolution and Genetic Dynamics

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W1966909327

FWCI: 2.818

Cites: 47

Cited by: 49

Related to: 10