Work

Modeling a continuum of drug-induced persistence during targeted cancer therapy

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We introduce a general phenomenological framework for understanding how phenotypic plasticity gives rise to drug persisters. These persisters, often quiescent but which sometimes return to cycling, survive in the presence of targeted therapy and eventually can lead to mutants with true resistance. Our framework builds on recent experimental observations regarding variations between and among single-cell clones and the possible role of the drug itself in enhancing the survival strategy. Predictions of our approach include the existence of an optimum drug concentration as well as an optimum drug holiday schedule to minimize the persistence-based threat.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2617783123

Authors: Ji Tae Park, Herbert Levine

Institutions: Northeastern University, Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University

Language: English

Topic: Mathematical Biology Tumor Growth

Subfield: Modeling and Simulation

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Science Foundation