Emergence of taxis and synergy in angiogenesis - art. no. 128102

Angiogenesis, the expansion of the vascular system feeding a tumor, is cruc ial to both primary tumors long-time growth and for the successful implanta tion of metastases. We formulate a model that relates the energetic require ments of the cancer cells to the production and diffusion of an angiogenic factor and to the ensuing evolution of neighboring endothelial cells. The m odel yields predictions for the development of neovascularization and for t he increase in the blood flow to the tumor. We show that the directed growt h of the vascular net is an emergent property and that therapies targeting different stages of the angiogenic process might have a synergistic effect.