The role of acidity in solid tumour growth and invasion.
Acidic pH is a common characteristic of human tumours. It has a significant impact on tumour progression and response to therapies. In this paper, we develop a simple model of three-dimensional tumour growth to examine the role of acidosis in the interaction between normal and tumour cell populations. Both vascular and avascular tumour dynamics are investigated, and a number of different behaviours are observed. Whilst an avascular tumour always proceeds to a benign steady state, a vascular tumour may display either benign or invasive dynamics, depending on the value of a critical parameter. Analysis of the model allows us to assess novel therapies directed towards changing the level of acidity within the tumour.
Smallbone
Kieran
K
Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, Oxford University, 24-29 St Giles', Oxford, OX1 3LB, UK. kieran.smallbone@new.ox.ac.uk
Gavaghan
David J
DJ
Gatenby
Robert A
RA
Maini
Philip K
PK
D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008954:Models, Biological; D009336:Necrosis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic