This paper discusses the properties of cancer cells from a new perspective based on an analogy with phase transitions in physical systems. Similarities in terms of instabilities and attractor states are outlined and differences discussed. While physical phase transitions typically occur at or near thermodynamic equilibrium, a normal-to-cancer (NTC) transition is a dynamical non-equilibrium phenomenon, which depends on both metabolic energy supply and local physiological conditions. A number of implications for preventative and therapeutic strategies are outlined.
Details
- Cancer as a Dynamical Phase Transition
- Davies, Paul (Author)
- Demetrius, Lloyd (Author)
- Tuszynski, Jack A. (Author)
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Contributor)
- BEYOND: Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science (Contributor)
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Digital object identifier: 10.1186/1742-4682-8-30
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Identifier TypeInternational standard serial numberIdentifier Value1742-4682
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The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3177875/
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Davies, P. C., Demetrius, L., & Tuszynski, J. A. (2011). Cancer as a dynamical phase transition (30th ed., Vol. 8). THEORETICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICAL MODELLING. doi:10.1186/1742-4682-8-30