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Updated: May 29, 2026

Generation of Heterogeneous Drug Gradients Across Cancer Populations on a Microfluidic Evolution Accelerator for Real-Time Observation
Published on: September 19, 2019
Cancer as a dynamical phase transition
Paul Cw Davies1, Lloyd Demetrius, Jack A Tuszynski
1Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1504, USA.
Abstract:
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.
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