Decision Letter: Dynamics of Nevus Development Implicate Cell Cooperation in the Growth Arrest of Transformed Melanocytes

Ruiz-Vega and collaborators challenged the hypothesis that nevi growth arrest is due to oncogene-induced senescence from the BRAF V600E mutation by analyzing single-cell transcriptome data from mouse nevi, finding no evidence of senescence. They proposed that nevi size distribution is better explained by cooperative mechanisms similar to normal tissue size control. Their mathematical models supported this, suggesting cell interactions regulate nevus growth rather than a cell-autonomous senescence program. The study emphasized cell cooperation over oncogene-induced senescence in nevus development. The document also addressed reviewer comments on figure clarity and modeling details, and included additional data in the supplementary material.