Speakers
Description
Tumour cell plasticity and intratumour heterogeneity are key determinants of cancer progression and treatment failure \cite{cordani_2024,seferbekova_2023}. In particular, spatial heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment (hypoxia, acidity, nutrient limitation, immune/stromal organisation, and mechanical constraints) shapes phenotypic states and their transitions \cite{perez-gonzalez_2023}. Mathematical modeling can give qualitative insight into these processes. Yet, many modelling efforts neglect spatial tumor heterogeneity, e.g., by assuming a homogeneous tumor microenvironment. This MS will place spatial heterogeneity at the centre of cancer plasticity modelling, aiming to integrate eco-evolutionary ideas with spatially resolved data and clinically relevant treatment contexts.
We will bring together researchers working on phenotype switching in spatially structured tumours, hybrid multiscale models linking intracellular regulatory networks to tissue-level patterns, and data-driven mechanistic inference from spatial imaging and multi-omics. Particular attention will be given to (i) evolutionary dynamics underlying intratumor heterogeneity, (ii) multi-compartment plasticity involving tumour, immune and stromal populations, and (iii) spatial aspects of therapy-driven state transitions, including combination therapies. The MS will complement existing sessions on cancer evolution and digital twins by emphasizing explicit spatial plasticity as a unifying mechanistic theme.
Bibliography
@article{perez-gonzalez_2023,
title = {Cancer cell plasticity during tumor progression, metastasis and response to therapy},
volume = {4},
issn = {2662-1347},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s43018-023-00595-y},
doi = {10.1038/s43018-023-00595-y},
language = {en},
number = {8},
urldate = {2026-01-22},
journal = {Nature Cancer},
author = {Pérez-González, Andrea and Bévant, Kevin and Blanpain, Cédric},
month = aug,
year = {2023},
pages = {1063--1082},
}
@article{cordani_2024,
title = {Signaling, cancer cell plasticity, and intratumor heterogeneity},
volume = {22},
issn = {1478-811X},
url = {https://biosignaling.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12964-024-01643-5},
doi = {10.1186/s12964-024-01643-5},
abstract = {Abstract
Cancer’s complexity is in part due to the presence of intratumor heterogeneity and the dynamic nature of cancer cell plasticity, which create substantial obstacles in effective cancer management. Variability within a tumor arises from the existence of diverse populations of cancer cells, impacting the progression, spread, and resistance to treatments. At the core of this variability is the concept of cellular plasticity - the intrinsic ability of cancer cells to alter their molecular and cellular identity in reaction to environmental and genetic changes. This adaptability is a cornerstone of cancer’s persistence and progression, making it a formidable target for treatments. Emerging studies have emphasized the critical role of such plasticity in fostering tumor diversity, which in turn influences the course of the disease and the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies. The transformative nature of cancer involves a network of signal transduction pathways, notably those that drive the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metabolic remodeling, shaping the evolutionary path of cancer cells. Despite advancements, our understanding of the precise molecular machinations and signaling networks driving these changes is still evolving, underscoring the necessity for further research. This editorial presents a series entitled “Signaling Cancer Cell Plasticity and Intratumor Heterogeneity” in Cell Communication and Signaling, dedicated to unraveling these complex processes and proposing new avenues for therapeutic intervention.},
language = {en},
number = {1},
urldate = {2026-01-22},
journal = {Cell Communication and Signaling},
author = {Cordani, Marco and Dando, Ilaria and Ambrosini, Giulia and González-Menéndez, Pedro},
month = may,
year = {2024},
pages = {255, s12964--024--01643--5},
}
@article{seferbekova_2023,
title = {Spatial biology of cancer evolution},
volume = {24},
issn = {1471-0056, 1471-0064},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-022-00553-x},
doi = {10.1038/s41576-022-00553-x},
language = {en},
number = {5},
urldate = {2026-01-22},
journal = {Nature Reviews Genetics},
author = {Seferbekova, Zaira and Lomakin, Artem and Yates, Lucy R. and Gerstung, Moritz},
month = may,
year = {2023},
pages = {295--313},
}
