Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025

07:08
Modeling and Imaging 3-Dimensional Collective Cell Invasion
Published on: December 7, 2011
16.9K
Modeling collective cell behavior in cancer: Perspectives from an interdisciplinary conversation
Frederick R Adler1, Alexander R A Anderson2, Abhinav Bhushan3
1Department of Mathematics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Cell Systems
|April 20, 2023
Summary
Collective cell behavior drives cancer progression. Understanding multicellular interactions and decision-making in cancer can lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Collective cell behavior is fundamental to cancer progression.
- Understanding cell-cell interactions and decision-making is crucial for cancer biology.
- Interdisciplinary approaches are needed to study complex multicellular behaviors in cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize an interdisciplinary discussion on multicellular behavior in cancer.
- To explore lessons from other scientific disciplines relevant to cancer.
- To identify future research directions for understanding collective cell behavior in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Interdisciplinary expert discussion summary.
- Literature review of relevant scientific disciplines.
- Identification of knowledge gaps and future research avenues.
Main Results:
- Collective cell behavior plays a role throughout cancer progression.
- Cell-cell interactions and decision-making are key emergent properties.
- Cross-disciplinary insights can enhance understanding of cancer biology.
Conclusions:
- Further research into collective cell behavior in cancer is warranted.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for advancing cancer research.
- Understanding multicellular dynamics may yield novel therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
5.9K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.9K
Cell Migration
4.9K
Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
4.9K
What is Cancer?
10.9K
Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of...
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of...
10.9K
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
5.0K
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
5.0K
Mouse Models of Cancer Study
5.6K
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
5.6K

