Cancer cell states in a perturbed epigenetic landscape

Using a simple model we explore how transitions to cancer cell states could arise through external perturbations of the somatic epigenetic landscape. Here, the epigenetic landscape is described using a Hopfield model originating from cooperative feedback loops with master regulator genes [1]. Perturbations, for instance caused by the effect of mutations, are modeled by random fields targeted to certain groups of genes that can be thought to be “selected” during the evolutionary process of cancer progression. The model is applied to gene expression data in the context of hematopoiesis and acute myeloid leukemia.

[1] Phys. Rev. E 103, 012409 (2021)