Speaker
Description
Tumors are not just collections of mutated cells, they are complex ecosystems of interacting clones and host elements. This type of system is well known to theoretical ecologists, who have been using mathematical models to understand, and even bias, naturally occurring systems like fisheries and game reserves. In this spirit, we have been working to develop mathematical models to describe tumors in this way, and further, to connect these models directly to experimental measurements. Specifically, we have developed an in vitro assay to directly parameterize an evolutionary game theory model, and have begun characterizing cell-cell interactions in heterogeneous model tumors. Using this assay, we have documented evidence of frequency dependent fitness, a necessary condition for adaptive therapy and significant ecological effects on cell fitness which strongly affects the emergence of drug resistance. I will describe our findings in EGFR+ and ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer, and propose both clinical and biological next steps to making personalized adaptive (evolutionary) therapy a reality.
