Cancer as a System Dysfunction

In this paper, we describe a system dynamics model that views cancer as a dysfunction of the cellular system rather than as an ailment of cells. Our experiments with the model replicate the propagation of the ailment and the impacts of the treatments. It presents a concept that deviates from the pervasive view of cancer as a cell malfunction that has led to treatments aiming to destroy the rogue cells. It points to more holistic treatment options aiming at reforming cell interaction so the system can contain the growth of cancer cells. Further research is needed to explore the details for such options.

[1]  Y. Lou,et al.  Next generation of immune checkpoint therapy in cancer: new developments and challenges , 2018, Journal of Hematology & Oncology.

[2]  O. Pavlov,et al.  Farmers, bandits and soldiers: a generic system for addressing peace agendas , 2013 .

[3]  Khalid Saeed,et al.  The dynamics of economic growth and political instability in developing countries , 1986 .

[4]  D. Gleason,et al.  Histologic grading of prostate cancer: a perspective. , 1992, Human pathology.

[5]  A. Drakaki,et al.  To treat or not to treat: Patient exclusion in immune oncology clinical trials due to preexisting autoimmune disease , 2019, Cancer.

[6]  J. Boehm,et al.  Age and cancer risk: a potentially modifiable relationship. , 2014, American journal of preventive medicine.

[7]  Samuel F. Bakhoum,et al.  Chromosomal instability drives metastasis through a cytosolic DNA response , 2017, Nature.

[8]  K. Saeed,et al.  Dynastic cycle : A generic structure describing resource allocation in political economies , markets and firms January , 2006 .

[9]  Sarah A Heerboth,et al.  Drug Resistance in Cancer: An Overview , 2014, Cancers.

[10]  Lotfi A. Zadeh,et al.  General System Theory , 1962 .

[11]  M. Pittman,et al.  Cell division rates decrease with age, providing a potential explanation for the age-dependent deceleration in cancer incidence , 2019, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[12]  D. Hanahan,et al.  The Hallmarks of Cancer , 2000, Cell.

[13]  Kimberly M. Thompson,et al.  Using system dynamics to develop policies that matter: global management of poliomyelitis and beyond , 2008 .

[14]  R. Bast,et al.  CRITICAL REVIEW OF PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ANIMAL STUDIES OF TUMOR IMMUNOTHERAPY WITH NON‐SPECIFIC IMMUNOSTIMULANTS , 1976, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

[15]  Jay W. Forrester,et al.  System dynamics, systems thinking, and soft OR , 1994 .

[16]  E. Montecino-Rodriguez,et al.  Causes, consequences, and reversal of immune system aging. , 2013, The Journal of clinical investigation.

[17]  D. Klassen,et al.  The OPTN Deceased Donor Potential Study: Implications for Policy and Practice , 2016, American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

[18]  Khalid Saeed,et al.  Maintaining professional competence in innovation organizations , 1998 .

[19]  J. Locasale,et al.  The Warburg Effect: How Does it Benefit Cancer Cells? , 2016, Trends in biochemical sciences.

[20]  N. Weidner,et al.  Current pathologic methods for measuring intratumoral microvessel density within breast carcinoma and other solid tumors , 2004, Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.