Abstract
We show that the effect of stress on the reproductive fitness of noisy cell populations can be modeled as a first-passage time problem, and demonstrate that even relatively short-lived fluctuations in gene expression can ensure the long-term survival of a drug-resistant population. We examine how this effect contributes to the development of drug-resistant cancer cells, and demonstrate that permanent immunity can arise independently of mutations.
MeSH terms
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Adaptation, Physiological / drug effects*
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Adaptation, Physiological / genetics*
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
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Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects
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Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
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Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
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Genetic Fitness / drug effects
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Genetic Fitness / genetics
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Models, Biological*
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Mutation* / drug effects
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Stress, Physiological / drug effects
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Stress, Physiological / genetics
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Time Factors