What Role Do Nutrient Gradients Play in Tumor Heterogeneity?
Nutrient gradients contribute significantly to tumor heterogeneity, which is the variation in cellular characteristics within a tumor. Different regions of the tumor experience distinct nutrient conditions, leading to the selection of subpopulations of cancer cells with diverse adaptive traits. This heterogeneity can complicate treatment, as different subpopulations may respond variably to therapies, contributing to drug resistance and disease recurrence.
