Image-based spatio-temporal model of drug delivery in a heterogeneous vasculature of a solid tumor — Computational approach

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2019Source: Microvascular ResearchAuthor(s): Farshad M. Kashkooli, M. Soltani, M. Rezaeian, Erfan Taatizadeh, Mohammad-Hossein HamediAbstractThe solute transport distribution in a tumor is an important criterion in the evaluation of the cancer treatment efficacy. The fraction of killed cells after each treatment can quantify the therapeutic effect and plays as a helpful tool to evaluate the chemotherapy treatment schedules. In the present study, an image-based spatio-temporal computational model of a solid tumor is provided for calculation of interstitial fluid flow and solute transport. Current model incorporates heterogeneous microvasculature for angiogenesis instead of synthetic mathematical modeling. In this modeling process, a comprehensive model according to Convection-Diffusion-Reaction (CDR) equations is employed due to its high accuracy for simulating the binding and the uptake of the drug by tumor cells. Based on the velocity and the pressure distribution, transient distribution of the different drug concentrations (free, bound, and internalized) is calculated. Then, the fraction of killed cells is obtained according to the internalized concentration. Results indicate the dependence of the drug distribution on both time and space, as well as the microvasculature density. Free and bound drug concentration have the same trend over time, whereas, internalized and total drug concentration increases over time and reaches a co...
Source: Microvascular Research - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research