  Integrating experimental data into ecological models plays a central role in
understanding biological mechanisms that drive tumor progression where such
knowledge can be used to develop new therapeutic strategies. While the current
studies emphasize the role of competition among tumor cells, they fail to
explain recently observed super-linear growth dynamics across human tumors.
Here we study tumor growth dynamics by developing a model that incorporates
evolutionary dynamics inside tumors with tumor-microenvironment interactions.
Our results reveal that tumor cells' ability to manipulate the environment and
induce angiogenesis drives super-linear growth -- a process compatible with the
Allee effect. In light of this understanding, our model suggests that for
high-risk tumors that have a higher growth rate, suppressing angiogenesis can
be the appropriate therapeutic intervention.
