Objective Cancer is a process of clonal selection, and analytical methods from evolutionary biology should be able to explain why cancer tissues are heterogeneous and develop resistance to current therapies. Evolutionary game theory helps understand non-intuitive properties of the frequency-dependent dynamics arising in the cooperative interactions between cancer cells. In particular, the theory of N-person non-linear public goods games is used to analyse the evolutionary dynamics of the production of diffusible molecules like growth factors, which are essential in the development of cancer. Models that take into account general features of non-linear public goods in structured populations, as well as specific features of certain types of growth factors, are used to understand the ultimate causes of tissue heterogeneity and of the evolution of resistance to therapies. The second part of the project uses experiments with cancer cell populations in vitro to test the predictions of the theory. Two types of beta cells from insulinomas of mouse, one of which knocked out for insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), a factor that promotes cancer cell proliferation and survival, are used for experimental evolution in vitro. It is anticipated that IGF-II-deficient tumour cells, while unable to grow in the absence of IGF-II, will proliferate better than producer cells when IGF-II is provided exogenously or by co-cultured producer cells, making IGF-II a public good, and providing an example of cooperation among cancer cells. The results will help understand stable intra-tumoural cell heterogeneity, why therapies that target growth factors lead to a temporary reduction in tumour growth followed by relapse, and may help devise evolutionarily stable therapies. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesevolutionary biologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsgame theory Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF - Marie Curie Action: "International Outgoing Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IOF - International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA EU contribution € 375 806,40 Address EARLHAM ROAD NR4 7TJ Norwich United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Norwich and East Norfolk Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Emma King (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITAT BASEL Participation ended Switzerland EU contribution No data Address PETERSPLATZ 1 4051 Basel See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Basel-Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gerhard Christofori (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
