COMPUTER SIMULATION OFTUMOUR RESPONSE TO THERAPY

Introduction

Introduction Efforts have been made in mathematically

simulating tumour growth and response to various therapeutic schemes.

Mathematical analysis and discrete mathematics (theory of algorithms, graph theory, cellular automata, finite state machines, etc.) along with probability theory have played central roles in this process.

OrganizationsAlthough This field is new, there are

already organizations working in this field.

EG: In silico oncologyhttp://www.in-silico-oncology.iccs.ntua.gr/

Identification and mapping

Tumour growth simulation

Tumour progression

Two major forms of tumour progression can be distinguished:

avascular (or prevascular) and neovascularized tumour growth.

The Cancer “Story” The tumour spheroid

formation starts with the placement of a single tumour cell at the stage of mitosis

Spatial communication between cells at any angular direction is possible.

The cell lysis and apoptosis products are gradually diffused towards the outer environment of the tumour.

Simulation simplified Tumour expansion is achieved

computationally by shifting a cell chain from the newly occupied cubic element towards the external environment of the tumour in a random direction

Tumour shrinkage is simulated by shifting a cell chain from the external environment of the tumour towards the cell that has to disappear in a direction defined by the cell.

How A virtual 3D tumour reconstruction

based on appropriate combinations of tomographic data collected through T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced computerized tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), etc. takes place before running the actual simulation.

How Mechanical considerations, such as

the boundary conditions imposed by the skull in the case of brain tumours, are made.

All other information such as biopsy full details are also included in the model

Radiotherapy modeling

Prediction EXERCISE

Predict how will the tumor grow

Predict how will the tumor grow

Predict how will the tumor grow

Predict how will the tumor grow

Questions?!THANK YOU!