Dynamics of the biological response to molecular injury: a mathematical model

This paper introduces a mathematical interpretation of the behaviour of a cell population (bacterial or eucaryotic) exposed to a genetically harmful agent (chemical or physical) administered with a given time-dependent intensity. The model described here provides a simple representation of the kinetics of the following processes; (i) induction of the cell damage; (ii) repair of the molecular injury; (iii) cell proliferation; (iv) cell death. The model has been shown to be consistent with two independent sets of experimental data concerning the tumour growth after irradiation. These data were drawn from the literature, and their numerical fitting has been achieved successfully.