Understanding Cancer as a Phase Transition
Author Information
Author(s): Paul C.W. Davies, Lloyd Demetrius, Jack A. Tuszynski
Primary Institution: Arizona State University
Hypothesis
The transition from a healthy to a malignant set of cells may be described as a dynamical phase transition.
Conclusion
Cancer can be viewed as a dynamical first order phase transition, suggesting that effective therapies require global changes in conditions rather than localized treatments.
Supporting Evidence
- Cancer is characterized by a shift from normal to malignant states, similar to physical phase transitions.
- The transition to cancer involves changes in cell metabolism and organization.
- Therapeutic strategies should focus on global changes rather than localized treatments.
Takeaway
Cancer is like a switch that flips from healthy to sick, and once it's flipped, it's hard to turn back without changing a lot of things at once.
Methodology
The paper discusses the properties of cancer cells using analogies from phase transitions in physical systems.
Limitations
The study does not focus on the molecular causes of cancer and acknowledges that the main driving force behind cancer may differ among types.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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