A Quantitative Theory of Solid Tumor Growth, Metabolic Rate and Vascularization
Author Information
Author(s): Herman Alexander B., Savage Van M., West Geoffrey B.
Primary Institution: University of California San Francisco
Hypothesis
How do the relationships between tumor growth, metabolic rate, and vascularization integrate across different scales?
Conclusion
The study provides a quantitative framework that connects tumor growth dynamics with vascularization and metabolic rates, revealing how these factors interact across species.
Supporting Evidence
- The model predicts how tumor metabolic and growth rates depend on tumor and host masses.
- Results suggest that tumors grow slower in larger animals due to lower mass-specific metabolic rates.
- The study provides insights into the dynamics of tumor growth and potential therapeutic strategies.
Takeaway
This study explains how tumors grow and get their energy from blood vessels, and how this process is different in small and large animals.
Methodology
The authors developed a theoretical model that integrates tumor growth, vascularization, and metabolic rates, using empirical data and mathematical equations.
Limitations
The model simplifies complex biological processes and does not explicitly account for spatial features of tumor growth.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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