Abstract

Game-theoretic models of cancer may help us to understand cancer and improve its treatment. There are many in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrating that cancer cells’ interactions impact their mutation/proliferation rates. However, measuring this impact is very difficult (and sometimes impossible) and one can fit cancer data with models that are not game-theoretic. We will demonstrate that frequency-depend selection and its intensity in a cancer model will impact the possible treatment outcomes, e.g. in terms of existence and reachability of asymptotically stable eco-evolutionary equilibria or possibility of killing all cancer cells. If time allows, we will also discuss evolutionary therapies (i.e. therapies that anticipate and steer cancer eco-evolutionary dynamics) and how to choose the best evolutionary therapy based on the properties of our cancer model.

Reference

Katerina Stankova (Delft University of Technology), “Do we need game-theoretic models to manage cancer?”, IAST General Seminar, Toulouse: IAST, March 14, 2023, 11:30–12:30, room Auditorium 4 (First floor - TSE building).