A modified neural network model of tumor cell interactions and subpopulation dynamics.

Tumors consist of phenotypically heterogeneous subpopulations of cells which are frequently affected by both autocrine and paracrine factors. Applying concepts from neural network theory, we have developed a computer model of chemical communication among hypothetical tumor cells, which simulates some of the complex epigenetic behavior of real tumors. Deletion of subpopulations often destabilized the whole population. The impact of deletion of specific subpopulations was affected by (a) which subpopulation was deleted, and (b) the timing of the deletion during tumor progression.