What can be learned from a chaotic cancer model?

A simple model of three competing cell populations (host, immune and tumor cells) is revisited by using a topological analysis and computing observability coefficients. Our aim is to show that a non-conventional analysis might suggest new trends in understanding the interactions of some tumor cells and their environment. The action of some parameter values on the resulting dynamics is investigated. Our results are related to some clinical features, suggesting that this model thus captures relevant phenomena to cell interactions.

► We performed a topological and an observability analysis of a cancer model. ► Increasing the growth rate of host cells develops the fluctuations of populations. ► Increasing the growth rate of host cells induces more rare but fast growing tumors. ► The killing rate of tumor cells by the immune cells does not affect the dynamics.