Figure 1.
Interactions hypothesized in the compartmental model: positive interactions are represented with arrows, negative ones with flat ends. The BRAFi (targeted to the tumor) inhibits growth in the drug-sensitive portion of the tumor (S) and induces activation of normal stroma (F). In turn, reactive stroma (A) promotes growth in the drug-tolerant portion of the tumor (R). The stroma-targeted inhibitor FAKi dampens the effect of stromal-induced growth promotion. Upon removal of BRAFi the tumor reacquires sensitivity to the drug and the stroma renormalizes (grey arrows).
