Tumor Cells Patterns Found Through Recent Study

In a study of breast cancer, scientists at the Moffitt Cancer Center found that cells closer to the center of a tumor are more attuned to using resources, while those at the outer edges specialize in cellular invasion that leads to tumor growth. The general thought has been that cancer cells develop from random mutations. But based on the stud, scientists say subpopulations of cells differentiate in an evolutionary manner aimed at survival and growth. This knowledge could lead to better cancer treatments. Based on the model of tumor function, the scientists found that cells at the edges of tumors are focused on invasion and reproduction, while those inside compete with neighboring cells for resources in the environment around them.