Analysis of inter-patient variations in tumour growth rate

Abstract

PurposeInter-patient variations in tumour growth rate are usually interpreted as biological heterogeneity among patients due to, e.g., genetic variability. However, these variations might be a result of non-exponential, e.g. the Gompertzian, tumour growth kinetics. The aim was to study if the natural tumour growth deceleration, i.e. non-exponential growth, is a dominant factor in such variations.Materials and methodsThe correlation between specific growth rate (SGR) and the logarithm of tumour volume, Ln(V), was calculated for tumours in patients with meningioma, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, primary lung cancer, post-chemotherapy regrowth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and in nude mice transplanted with human midgut carcinoid GOT1, a tumour group which is biologically more homogeneous than patient groups.ResultsThe correlation between SGR and Ln(V) was statistically significant for meningioma, post-chemotherapy regrowth of NSCLC, and the mouse model, but not for any other patient groups or subgroups, based on differentiation and clinical stage.ConclusionThis method can be used to evaluate the homogeneity of tumour growth kinetics among patients. Homogeneity of post-chemotherapy regrowth pattern of NSCLC suggests that, in contrast to untreated tumours, the remaining resistant cells or stem cells (if exist) might have similar biological characteristics among these patients.

Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on liver cancer management (CERO-19)

“…This may be something that could be further evaluated in the context of screening ultrasound delays due to COVID-19 pandemic. Obviously, tumour stage at diagnosis will be one of the most relevant, as tumour growth is assumed to be faster along its evolution [ [14] , [15] , [16] ]. We should also keep in mind that the detection of changes in outcome or tumour progression during the delayed interventions may translate into a marginal impairment without clinically relevant consequences.…”

“…Obviously, tumour stage at diagnosis will be one of the most relevant, as tumour growth is assumed to be faster along its evolution. [14][15][16] We should also keep in mind that the detection of changes in outcome or tumour progression during the delayed interventions may translate into a marginal impairment without clinically relevant consequences. It must also be noted in advance that any suggestion we raise in the future will not have the background that would be provided by a randomised controlled trial comparing conventional timing vs. delayed intervention.…”

Estimating Tumor Growth Rates In Vivo

“…Mehrara and Forsell-Aronson [17] did this for seven data sets including those of Nakamura, Nakajima, and Saito considered here. They plotted r̂ E as a function of log( V 1 ) to see if the observed rate heterogeneity was due to the fact that the apropriate model was the Gompertz.…”

Mechanistic insights into the heterogeneous response to anti‐VEGF treatment in tumors

“…The model predicted that individual mice with lower tumor cell growth rate and higher carrying capacity have a stronger response to anti‐VEGF treatment, which indicates that VEGF treatment might be more beneficial for patients with tumors that have a slow progression but the ability to reach a larger tumor burden. Indeed, the variations of tumor growth rate and carrying capacity are observed in various preclinical and clinical trials, 54 which can be a contributor to the observed heterogeneous response of anti‐VEGF. Furthermore, these two growth kinetic parameters can be estimated with early scans of the patients’ tumor in clinical practice 55 .…”