Abstract

A theory of mutated developmental control networks has been developed by Oxford scientist
Eric Werner and proposed as an alternative to the traditional explanation of cancer as the
result of mutated genes that cause uncontrolled cell growth. This research examined one such
control network and proposed a mathematical model that depicts the behavior described by
this new paradigm of cancer growth. Treatment in the form of radiation therapy was
introduced, and the resulting effects on each cell population were explored. Proton therapy
was also considered as an alternative to traditional radiation therapy. This research will aid in
the understanding of cancer, its growth, and how treatment may interact with it. The proposed
mathematical model used a nonlinear system of three ordinary differential equations that
describe the growth of cancer stem cells, tumor cells, and healthy cells.