The role of contact inhibition in intratumoral heterogeneity: An off-lattice individual based model

Abstract

We present a model that shows how intratumoral heterogeneity, in terms of tumor cell phenotypic traits, can evolve in a tumor mass as a result of selection when space is a limited resource. This model specifically looks at the traits of proliferation rate and migration speed. The competition for space amongst individuals in the tumor mass creates a selection pressure for the cells with the fittest traits. To allow for organic movement and capture the invasive behavior, we use an off-lattice individual-based model.