\documentclass[reqno]{amsart} \usepackage{graphicx} % for including eps figures. \AtBeginDocument{{\noindent\small Fifth Mississippi State Conference on Differential Equations and Computational Simulations, {\em Electronic Journal of Differential Equations}, Conference 10, 2003, pp. 33--53.\newline ISSN: 1072-6691. http://ejde.math.swt.edu or http://ejde.math.unt.edu \newline ftp ejde.math.swt.edu (login: ftp)} \thanks{\copyright 2003 Southwest Texas State University.} \thanks{Published February 28, 2003.} \vspace{9mm}} \begin{document} \setcounter{page}{33} \title[\hfilneg EJDE/Conf/10\hfil Multistage evolutionary model] {Multistage evolutionary model for carcinogenesis mutations} \author[Reza Ahangar \& Xiao-Biao Lin\hfil EJDE/Conf/10\hfilneg] {Reza Ahangar \& Xiao-Biao Lin} \address{Reza Ahangar\hfill\break Math Department, Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, KS 67401, USA} \email{rahangar@kwu.edu or rahangar@alltel.net} \address{Xiao-Biao Lin\hfill\break Math Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8205, USA} \email{xblin@math.ncsu.edu} \date{} \thanks{R. Ahangar would like to thank University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, for giving me \hfill\break\indent a visiting position, where most of this work was performed.} \thanks{X.-B. Lin was partially supported by grant DMS-9973105 from National Science Foundation} \subjclass[2000]{92C30, 62P10, 92D10, 92D25} \keywords{Cancer, mutation, interaction, travelling waves, singular perturbation.} \begin{abstract} We developed a mathematical model for carcinogenesis mutations based on the reaction diffusion, logistic behavior, and interactions between normal, benign, and premalignant mutant cells. We adopted a deterministic view of the multistage evolution of the mutant cell to a tumor with a fast growth rate, and its progress to a malignant stage. In a simple case of this model, the interaction between normal and tumor cells with one or two stages of mutations was analyzed. The stability of the dynamical system and the travelling wave solutions for different stages of evolution of mutant cells were investigated. We observed the effect of variation and natural selection in shaping the carcinogenesis malignant mutation. \end{abstract} \maketitle \newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem}[section] \numberwithin{equation}{section} \section{Formulations of Carcinogenesis Mutations} \subsection*{Introduction} In 1971, Alfred Knudson proposed a theory that united the two forms of retinoblastoma under genetic mutations. He explained that the two mutations would occur, one after another either during embryonic development or shortly after birth, in one of the cells of the retina. This elementary stage of mutation could be inherited. Consequently, a rare somatic mutation is required to trigger the explosive outgrowth of a tumor. The pair of genes inside \textit{the thirteenth human chromosome} are deactivated during this mutation. Cell Kinetic Multistage (CKM) cancer risk studied by Bogen (1989) is based on the assumption that cell proliferation follows the exponential growth and geometric model. In this approach, biological evidence indicates that precancerous cells may typically proliferate geometrically. A computer simulation of cell growth governed by stochastic processes, developed by Conolly and Kimbell, assumes that the normal cell is growing exponentially (Kimbell 1993). A stochastic process model for one, two, and three-stage transformation toward malignancy was developed for embryonic and adult mice using the Gompertzian pattern (Mao and Wheldon 1994) and another by Portier (2000) for two-stage. In this paper, we use the evolution principles of variation, natural selection, and reproduction to construct our model. In particular, we shall study how cell interaction affects and causes changes in birth, death, and mutation rates. When selection pressure from the surrounding environment is harsh, cells go through a competition stage for nutrients, space and other resources causing them to alter genetic programming in order to survive under new environmental conditions. Under environmental pressure, the new DNA program allows cells to exploit biomasses, needed for their growth, from other resources in the body. This internal DNA program change for the cell's survival is called \textit{adaptation}. The birth of a new cell with a reprogramming of genetic makeup for adaptation is called a \textit{mutation}. In the following steps, we will demonstrate factors and conditions which will affect both normal and tumor cell growth rates either directly or indirectly. \noindent1. \textbf{Oxygen and nutrients through blood vessels:} Folkman and colleagues demonstrated that solid tumors establish their own blood supplies by encouraging the growth of new blood vessels into the tumor tissue to grow beyond the small size of approximately one cubic millimeter (Folkman, 1971, Gimbron et al 1972, and Golrderg 1997). In the absence of a blood supply, the diffusion of oxygen and nutrients across numerous cell layers limits the tumor size. \noindent2. \textbf{Body's Immune System: }Owen and Sherratt studied the interactions between macrophage, tumor cells, and biochemical regulators (Owen 1997). They showed that tumors contain a high proportion of macrophages, a type of white blood cell which can have a variety of effects on the tumor, leading to a delicate balance between growth promotion and inhibition and the ability of macrophage to kill mutant cells. Macrophages also are able to lyse tumor cells over normal cells. \noindent3. \textbf{Programmed Death or Cell's Birth and death process}: An article in the ``New York Academy of Science'' also reviewed the idea of ``programmed death'' in which the cell uses signals from neighboring cells to either commit suicide or to stay alive (Raff and Wish 1996). ``A cell on the verge of becoming cancerous is surrounded by normal cells that undergo \textit{apoptosis} when damaged. These dying cells leave some space into which the mutated cell can grow by inducing more healthy cells to kill themselves'' (Leffel and Brash 1996). Normal cells are programmed to divide under certain conditions and do not live forever because they are programmed to die. The birth and death of cells is one of the most fascinating features of DNA programming. The gene's program can sometimes increase the growth of normal cells (oncogene) and sometimes limit cell growth (tumor suppressor gene). \textit{ Proto-Oncogenes} operate like accelerated pedals in cell proliferation, and tumor suppressor genes work like brakes (Weinberg 1998). Researchers believe that the tumor - suppressor gene or P53 protein normally stops a DNA-damaged cell from reproducing until it has had time to make repairs. Cells that become irreparably damaged rely on their death program for the greater good of the organism. If repairs are made, then P53 allows the cell cycle to continue. But if the damages are too serious to be patched, P53 activates other genes that cause the cell to self-destruct. For example, increasing levels of P53 protein in the cell causes an increase in the process of mutant cell suicide and ultimately a reduction of cancer cells. This cellular proofreading serves to erase genetic mistakes. Undetected genetic error leads the mutation process. The article presented by (Byrne 2001) demonstrates a microscopic model about tumor control by protein P53. \noindent4. \textbf{Evolution:} Evolution is another important factor in cell proliferation and mutation. It is based on the \textit{principles of variation and natural selection.} Variation involves changing the conditions of the environment and the cell's internal forces. These forces are imposed on cells to alter DNA programs to adopt new conditions. The mutant cell may survive by extracting nutrients from the surrounding environment. Thus the interactions of mutant cells with their environment play an important role for survival (Davis 2000). \noindent5. \textbf{Interaction through Signals, Biochemical Regulators and Enzymes: } Tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages both release factors that can affect each other. An introduction to interactions between a cell and its neighboring cells by receiving signals was discussed in the July 1996 issue of ``Scientific American''. Mutant cells with a proliferative advantage over normal tissue cells produce a generic chemical which regulates macrophage proliferation, influx, activation, and complex formation (Michelson and Leith 1997, Dopazo et al 2001, and Witting 2001). \noindent6. \textbf{Interaction between a cell and its environment based on the principle of struggle for existence:} We will study a macroscopic model of normal and tumor cells in this paper, but the microscopic factors like signal functions which affect the cell division, birth, death, and mutations will not be considered in our model. In this step, it is assumed that surrounding environmental conditions and the genetic program are in favor of the mutant cell. The genetic program in the mutant cell makes the cell capable of fast exploitation of the space and biomass because of its need to survive and proliferate. The survival of mutant cells with their fast division rate is an indication of proper adaptation, exploitation, and availability of nutrients and space. The capability for a fast-growing rate in the tissue causes changes in the densities of normal and tumor cells at space-time $(t,x)$. Through this conflict and competition in using resources and space, there may be a reduction in normal cell growth rate and an increase in tumor cell density rate. In the following formulation, we will consider the \textit{macroscopic evolution of mutant cells} through the stages to the development of a premalignant tumor. Consideration of all changes in DNA and internal forces on the microscopic level that affect cell birth, death, and mutations through the signal functions are beyond the scope of this paper. The effect of migration of mutant cells on tumor growth is investigated by (Pettet et al 2001). \subsection*{Modeling and Formulation} Assume that cell density depends on the following hypotheses \noindent\textbf{H1: Multistage Mutations:} Mutations in DNA cause cancer tumors to evolve through stages with the normal stage as the initial stage and malignancy as the final stage. \noindent\textbf{H2: Diffusion:} At every stage of mutation, the rate of density changes by diffusion and the rate of diffusion at every stage remains constant. \noindent\textbf{H3: Cell Proliferation process:} Both normal and mutant cells have a limited resource environment. Thus, both behave alike logistically within certain parameters. \noindent\textbf{H4: Interactions Between Stages of Mutant Cells: }In all stages, cell density will be affected by quadratic interactions with cells of the current, previous, and next stage. Assume that the effect of interactions within other stages are negligible. Let us consider Y$_{i}$ as a density of mutant cells of the i-th stage at position $(t,x)$ where $i=0,1,2,3,\dots,n$. We accept all hypotheses, H1 through H4, to develop a multistage model for mutant cell densities Y$_{i}$ at stage $i=0,1,2,\dots,n$, where Y$_{0}$ will be the initial stage, $% Y_{i}(i=1,2,3,\dots,n-1)$ the density of intermediate stages, and Y$_{n}$ represents the density of the final stage. The system of equations for the density function is \begin{equation} \frac{\partial Y_{i}}{\partial t}=D_{i}\Delta Y_{i}+a_{i}Y_{i}(1-\frac{Y_{i}% }{K_{i}})+\eta_{i}Y_{i}Y_{i-1}-\mu_{i+1}Y_{i}Y_{i+1}, \tag{1.1} \end{equation} for $i=1,2,\dots,n-1$. In this formulation the constant real numbers $D_{i}$ are diffusion factors, $a_{i}$ and $K_{i}$ are logistic parameters, and $\eta_{i}$ and $\mu_{i}$ are interaction coefficients for the i-th stage. In every stage i, the parameters $a_{i}$ represent the growth rate with unlimited resources. The factor $\eta_{i}$ is the \textit{growth advantage of stage} i from the previous stage $i-1$, and the parameter $\mu_{i}$ is the \textit{growth advantage of the next stage} $i+1$ from the present stage $i$. \subsection*{Latest Stage} Note that system (1.1) does not include the normal stage, $i=0$, and the final stage, $i=n$. The positive integer $n$ is the number of mutations leading to the latest stage and is dictated by many factors, including nature, the body, and the type of cancer. The current stage which has not reached malignancy is called the latest stage. Suppose that the mutation is in the latest stage of development $0\leq $ $i0,x\in\partial\Omega. $$ The boundary conditions are to be interpreted as \textit{no flux} conditions. This means that the mutation is not in the metastasized stage and there is no migration of cells across $\partial\Omega$. For all of these stages, $\Omega$ is considered the only habitat for cancer cells. \subsection*{Formulation of Two-Stage Mutation} For simplicity we consider a two-stage mutation model: benign and the latest stage of premalignancy. When all conditions are in favor of the mutant cell, the latest stage may lead to malignant mutation. However, we are interested in studying the latest stage under selection pressure. To demonstrate the mathematical form of the selection pressure, we adopt equation (1.4) for the latest stage. Thus the two-stage model with premalignancy as latest stage will be in the following form \begin{equation} \begin{gathered} \frac{\partial u}{\partial t}=D_{0}\Delta u+a_{0}u(1-\frac{u}{K_{0}})-\mu _{1}uv, \\ \frac{\partial v}{\partial t}=D_{1}\Delta v+a_{1}v(1-\frac{v}{K_{1}})+\eta _{1}uv-\mu_{2}vw, \\ \frac{\partial w}{\partial t}=D_{2}\Delta w-a_{2}w+\eta_{2}vw. % \end{gathered} \tag{1.7} \end{equation} The initial conditions are $u(0)=u_{0},v(0)=v_{0},$and $% w(0)=w_{0}$ with no flux on the boundary. \section{One-Stage Mutation Interacting System} Epidemiologists succeeded in converting normal cells to cancer cells by introducing single oncogenes into them. A single oncogene was enough to create a malignant cancer cell in one hit (Weinberg 1996). We accept the one-stage model for the purpose of its simplicity of evolution in developing the cancer cell. This type of transformation of normal cell to a full blown cancer cell is possible experimentally in the laboratory by using chemical agents (Weinberg 1998). However, cancer formation is a complex process involving a long sequence of steps, rather than a simple one-hit event that converts a fully normal cell into a highly malignant one in a single step. When we eliminate all intermediate stages, the mathematical form of (1.7) include the initial, the intermediate, and the latest stage of evolution toward cancer cells. We will present a single hit mutation for the one-stage model. Michelson and Leith (1997) studied this type of interaction between tumor cells with no diffusion factors of angiogenesis in tumor growth control. By certain assumptions which are dependent on the nature of the tumor on one side and the genetic program with environmental conditions on the other side, this model will be reduced to a particular case of tumor growth for which enormous work has been done during the past few decades in mathematical biology. For example, in the one-stage model when there is no diffusion factor, systems (1.3) and (1.4) will be reduced to Lotka-Volterra equations or to the logistic case where it will be the Pearl-Verhulst model. \subsection*{One-Stage Carcinogenesis Mutation in an Unfavorable Environment} Our mathematical form should be able to explain the principles of evolution: variation, natural selection, and survival of the fittest. In the following model, we assume that mutant cells go through the selection pressure in an unfavorable environment. The more aggressive mutant cells are able to exploit the environment and the resources of cells of previous stages and have a better chance to survive. Since we are eliminating the intermediate stages, the environment and normal cells provide resources for the latest stage. Assume that the initial stage cells are the only resource for the growth of the mutant cells. Then the quadratic interaction behaves as a predator-prey model. In this case, the body's immune system is very strong and is harshly active against the growth of the tumor cell, that is, the density of the mutant cell in the absence of nutrients is negatively proportional to its size. When the environment is not in favor of the mutant cell, then according to one of the principles of evolution, the mutant cell will face selection pressure. If it cannot adapt to a new condition, it will not survive. The mutant cells that can use the resources of normal cells have a better chance of survival. With these conditions imposed on the mutant cells, the model will be \begin{equation} \begin{gathered} \frac{\partial u}{\partial t}=D_{1}\Delta u+au(1-\frac{u}{K_{1}})-r_{1}uv,\\ \frac{\partial v}{\partial t}=D_{2}\Delta v-ev+r_{2}uv, \end{gathered} \tag{2.1} \end{equation} where $e,r_{1},$ and $r_{2}$ are positive constant real numbers. Dunbar (1983) studied this model. See also Smitalova and Sujan (1991). By rescaling (2.1) in one dimension, that is, \begin{gather*} U=\frac{u}{K_{1}},\quad V=\frac{r_{1}}{a},t'=at,\quad x'=x(D_{2}/a)^{-1/2}=(\frac{a}{D_{2}})^{1/2}x \\ D=\frac{D_{1}}{D_{2}},\quad\gamma=\frac{r_{2}K_{1}}{a},\quad\delta =\frac{ e}{r_{2}K_{1}}, \end{gather*} we obtain \begin{equation} \begin{gathered} U_{t}=DU_{xx}+U(1-U-V), \\ V_{t}=V_{xx}+\gamma(U-\delta)V. \end{gathered} \tag{2.2} \end{equation} The necessary condition for the survival of mutant cells in this stage is $ 0<\delta=\frac{e}{r_{2}K_{1}}<1$. This means that the tumor growth factor $e $ cannot be very large, but its interaction capability against normal cells $r_{2}$ and the carrying capacity of normal cells will help the tumor to survive. The travelling wave exists in (2.2) when $D=\dfrac{D_{1}}{D_{2}}$ is very small and negligible. Thus, \[ U(x,t)=w(x+ct),\quad V(x,t)=z(x+ct) \] where the wave with a single variable $s=x+ct$ is moving in a stationary system with the speed $c$. Substituting in (2.2) yields $\quad$% \begin{equation} \begin{gathered} cw'=Dw''+w(1-w-z), \\ cz'=z''+\gamma z(w-\delta). \end{gathered} \tag{2.3} \end{equation} The second order nonlinear system can be substituted by a first order system of ODE with respect to the variable $s$ \begin{equation} \begin{gathered} w'=(1/c)w(1-w-z), \\ z'=y, \\ y'=cy-\gamma z(w-\delta). \end{gathered} \tag{2.4} \end{equation} For system (2.4) there are two pairs of critical points whose connections will be the solution to the system. The non-negative solutions satisfying the condition \begin{equation} \begin{gathered} w(-\infty)=1,\quad w(\infty)=\delta, \\ z(-\infty)=0,z(\infty)=1-\delta \end{gathered} \tag{2.5} \end{equation} are called type I solutions. Non-negative solutions of (2.5) satisfying \begin{equation} \begin{gathered} w(-\infty)=0,\quad w(\infty)=\delta, \\ z(-\infty)=0,z(\infty)=1-\delta \end{gathered}\tag{2.6} \end{equation} are called type II solutions. The following conclusion for $D=0$ can be shown (Dunbar 1983). \begin{theorem} \label{thm2.1} The travelling wave front solutions $(w(s),z(s))$ of system (2.2) satisfying condition (2.6) (type II) exist if $0x_{0}, \end{cases} \tag{5.6} \end{equation} where at the point $x=x_{0}$, the value of $\widetilde{V}=V(x_{0})$, and there is a jump for the value of $U$ from $U=0$ to $\widetilde{U}=1- \widetilde{V}$. To study the solution of the first equation, after rescaling \[ \xi=(x-x_{0})/\varepsilon,\tau=t/\varepsilon, \] the internal layer will satisfy the ``\textit{slow variable}'' system \begin{equation} U_{\tau}=U_{\xi\xi}+U(1-U-m\widetilde{V}). \tag{5.7} \end{equation} This equation has a travelling wave front solution connecting $U=0$ to $\widetilde{U}=1-V(x_{0})$ with the same speed of the last two equations. \section{Concluding Remarks} The following is a brief review of our results. \noindent\textbf{1- Variation and Natural Selection:} The tumor formed by a one-stage mutation may approach a stable equilibrium state. By one of the evolution principles of ``variation'', the environment, and consequently, the DNA algorithm will change. This equilibrium state persists until new conditions force the mutant cells to develop an adaptation procedure to survive. Some conditions are not favorable for mutant cells, but those that can adapt to the new conditions will survive. These changes are inevitable and may cause a sequence of mutations. If the cell is in the latest stage of its mutation, and has not reached the final malignant stage under unfavorable conditions such as lack of oxygen and nutrients, it is in the \textit{premalignant stage}. \noindent\textbf{2- Mathematical Representations for Stages:} A deterministic and macroscopic model representing the evolution of carcinogenesis mutation using parabolic PDEs was developed. \noindent\textbf{3- Stability and instability:} In order to study the chance of malignant mutation, we have studied the instability of premalignant mutations. This will lead us to understand the chance of another mutation toward the malignant stage. Particularly, our interest has been to study the evolution of premalignant cells when unfavorable conditions are imposed on the mutant \textit{cells by selection pressures}. \noindent\textbf{4- One-stage with Diffusion factor in Unfavorable Conditions:} If the environment is not in favor of mutant cells, the following system can represent the normal and tumor densities and their interactions$\quad$% \begin{equation} \begin{gathered} \frac{\partial u}{\partial t}=D_{1}\Delta u+au(1-\frac{u}{K_{1}})-r_{1}uv,\\ \frac{\partial v}{\partial t}=D_{2}\Delta v-ev+r_{2}uv.% \end{gathered} \tag{6.1} \end{equation} When $D=\frac{D_{1}}{D_{2}}$ is very small, we have the following statement. \begin{theorem} \label{thm6.1} The travelling wave front solutions (w(s),z(s)) of system (2.2) satisfying condition (2.6) (type II) exists if $0From Molecular Biology to Epidemiology'', Ann. Rev. Public Health 1986, 7.151-69. \bibitem{Michelson and Leith 97} Michelson, Seth and John T. 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