Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2009
Many tumours undergo periods in whichthey apparently do not grow but remain at a roughly constant sizefor extended periods. This is termed tumour dormancy. Themechanisms responsible for dormancy include failure to develop aninternal blood supply, individual tumour cells exiting the cellcycle and a balance between the tumour and the immune response toit. Tumour dormancy is of considerable importance in the naturalhistory of cancer. In many cancers, and in particular in breastcancer, recurrence can occur many years after surgery to removethe primary tumour, following a long period of occult disease.Mathematical modelling suggested that continuous growth of tumourswas incompatible with data of the times of recurrence in breastcancer, suggesting that tumour dormancy was a common phenomenon.Modelling has also been applied to understanding the mechanismsresponsible for dormancy, how they can be manipulated and theimplications for cancer therapy. Here, the literature onmathematical modelling of tumour dormancy is reviewed. Inconclusion, promising future directions for research arediscussed.