Effects of Heterogeneity on Cancer: A Game Theory Perspective

In this study, we explore interactions between cancer cells by using the hawk-dove game. We analyze the heterogeneity of tumors by considering games with populations composed of 2 or 3 types of cell. We determine what strategies are evolutionarily stable in the 2-type and 3-type population games and what the corresponding expected payoffs are. Our results show that the payoff of the best-off cell in the 2-type population game is higher than that of the best-off cell in the 3-type population game. When these mathematical findings are transferred to the field of oncology they suggest that a tumor with low intratumor heterogeneity pursues a more aggressive course than one with high intratumor heterogeneity. Some histological and genomic data on clear cell renal cell carcinomas is consistent with these results. We underline the importance of identifying intratumor heterogeneity in routine practice and suggest that therapeutic strategies that preserve heterogeneity may be promising as they may slow down cancer growth.

Automated summary

In this study, interactions between cancer cells were explored using the hawk-dove game. The heterogeneity of tumors was analyzed by considering populations with 2 or 3 types of cells. The results showed that the best-off cell in the 2-type population game had a higher payoff than the best-off cell in the 3-type population game. The study highlights the importance of identifying intratumor heterogeneity in routine practice and suggests that therapeutic strategies preserving heterogeneity may slow down cancer growth.