Modeling drug resistance in a conjoint normal-tumor setting

BACKGROUND: In this paper, we modify our previously developed conjoint tumor-normal cell model in order to make a distinction between tumor cells that are responsive to chemotherapy and those that may show resistance. RESULTS: Using this newly developed core model, the evolution of three cell types: normal, tumor, and drug-resistant tumor cells, is studied through a series of numerical simulations. In addition, we illustrate critical factors that cause different dynamical patterns for normal and tumor cells. Among these factors are the co-dependency of the normal and tumor cells, the cells’ response mechanism to a single or multiple chemotherapeutic treatment, the drug administration sequence, and the treatment starting time. CONCLUSION: The results provide us with a deeper understanding of the possible evolution of normal, drug-responsive, and drug-resistant tumor cells during the cancer progression, which may contribute to improving the therapeutic strategies.