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Table 1 Description of the main parameters and their values. The changes in parameter values because of the scenario studied are described for the key organ in isolation (scenario 1), the auxiliary organ in isolation (scenario 2) and the both organs in interaction (scenario 3). The last five lines correspond to the parameters used in the sensitivity analysis

From: How is the evolution of tumour resistance at organ-scale impacted by the importance of the organ for fitness?

Parameter

Description

Range or value

α

Tumour emergence rate

0.5, 0.75, 1.

λa, i

Cancer initiation rate in the key organ

If scenario 1 or 3, λa, i = 0.01 i

If scenario 2, λa = 0

λb, j

Cancer initiation rate in the auxiliary organ

If scenario 2 or 3, λb, j = 0.01 j

If scenario 1, λb = 0

i and j

Cancer resistance strategy in the key and the auxiliary organ, respectively.

 [1, 10]

b min

The minimal and maximal fecundity rates

0.1, 0.2, 0.3

b max

0.5

K

Carrying capacity

10,000

d H

Mortality rate of healthy individuals

dHUnif(10−2, 5.10−2)

m

Mutation rate

mUnif(10−10, 10−6)

τ12, τ23 and τ33

Probability to have a cancer of stage 2, 3 and 4 (metastasis) when you have a cancer of stage 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

τ12Unif(0.1, 0.9)

τ23Unif(0.1, 0.9)

If Scenario 3, τ33Unif(0.1,0.9)

If Scenario 1 or 2, τ33 = 0

δ

The lethality of cancer in the key and the auxiliary organ

δ Unif(1/10, 1/2)for the key organ

and δ Unif(2, 10) for the auxiliary organ

c

Constant to manage the strength of cancer impact on organism’s mortality

cUnif(1, 19)