Eur. Phys. J. B 35, 117-123 (2003)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2003-00262-8

Phase transitions in unstable cancer cell populations

¹ ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Dr Aiguader 80, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
² Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, New Mexico 87501, USA

Corresponding author: ^a ricard.sole@upf.edu

Received: 22 April 2003
Published online: 22 September 2003

Abstract

The dynamics of cancer evolution is studied by means of a simple quasispecies model involving cells displaying high levels of genetic instability. Both continuous, mean-field and discrete, bit-string models are analysed. The string model is simulated on a single-peak landscape. It is shown that a phase transition exists at high levels of genetic instability, thus separating two phases of slow and rapid growth. The results suggest that, under a conserved level of genetic instability the cancer cell population will be close to the threshold level. Implications for therapy are outlined.