A multiscale mathematical model of cancer, and its use in analyzing irradiation therapies

Benjamin Ribba¹ , Thierry Colin² and Santiago Schnell³

¹Institute for Theoretical Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine R.T.H Laennec, University of Lyon, Paradin St., P.O.B 8071, 69376 Lyon Cedex 08, France

²Mathématiques Appliquées de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR 5466 and INRIA futurs, University of Bordeaux 1, 351 cours de la liberation, 33405 Talence Cedex, France

³Indiana University School of Informatics and Biocomplexity Institute, 1900 East Tenth Street, Eigenmann Hall 906, Bloomington, IN 47406, USA

author email corresponding author email

Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling 2006, 3:7doi:10.1186/1742-4682-3-7


Published:	10 February 2006

Abstract

Background

Radiotherapy outcomes are usually predicted using the Linear Quadratic model. However, this model does not integrate complex features of tumor growth, in particular cell cycle regulation.

Methods

In this paper, we propose a multiscale model of cancer growth based on the genetic and molecular features of the evolution of colorectal cancer. The model includes key genes, cellular kinetics, tissue dynamics, macroscopic tumor evolution and radiosensitivity dependence on the cell cycle phase. We investigate the role of gene-dependent cell cycle regulation in the response of tumors to therapeutic irradiation protocols.

Results

Simulation results emphasize the importance of tumor tissue features and the need to consider regulating factors such as hypoxia, as well as tumor geometry and tissue dynamics, in predicting and improving radiotherapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion

This model provides insight into the coupling of complex biological processes, which leads to a better understanding of oncogenesis. This will hopefully lead to improved irradiation therapy.