Multispecies model of cell lineages and feedback control in solid tumors

► A model of spatiotemporal dynamics of cell lineages in solid tumors is developed. ► Soluble factors regulate cell proliferation, self-renewal and differentiation. ► Spatiotemporal heterogeneous distributions of cells and factors develop. ► Clusters of stem cells appear at the tumor boundary, consistent with experiments. ► Combining differentiation and radiation therapies is a very effective strategy.