Abstract

Characterizing the mode – the way, manner, or pattern – of evolution in tumours is important for clinical forecasting and optimizing cancer treatment. DNA sequencing studies have inferred various modes, including branching, punctuated and neutral evolution, but it is unclear why a particular pattern predominates in any given tumour. Dr Robert Noble will argue that differences in tumour architecture can explain the variety of observed genetic patterns. He will present results of spatially explicit population genetic models showing that, within biologically relevant parameter ranges, human tumours are expected to exhibit four distinct onco-evolutionary modes (oncoevotypes), governed by the mode of cell dispersal and the range of cell-cell interaction. New quantitative indices will be introduced for describing and classifying these oncoevotypes. Dr Noble will further present an investigation of when, why and how intratumour heterogeneity can be used to forecast tumour growth rate and progression-free survival. He will thus provide explanations – grounded in evolutionary theory – for empirical findings in various cancers. This work informs the search for new prognostic biomarkers and contributes to the development of predictive oncology.