The role of epigenetics and microenvironment in breast cancer evolution

Cancer is a disease driven by aberrant signaling pathways that control and maintain the malignant phenotype. Among the different aspects that drive these aberrant behavior are epigenetic changes that favor the uncontrolled growth and longer survival of malignant cells. These molecular changes affect microenvironment and cellular function subjecting cells to stress due to the lack of sufficient nutrients (glucose) and oxygen. On the other hand, estrogens have been found to play a major role in promoting the proliferation of both normal and neoplastic cells and they are believed to stimulate the occurrence of neoplastic mutations. Here, we incorporate these biological processes into a quantitative model to understand how microenvironmental conditions affect genetic dynamics and phenotypic diversity. Our results suggest that the evolution of malignancy and heterogeneity in a tumor arise and can be controlled by local epigenetic changes. This yields support to the believe that controlling local microenvironmental aspects might prevent the further development of a tumor.