PPubMed7 Feb 2022Cited 16×

A multiscale cell‐based model of tumor growth for chemotherapy assessment and tumor‐targeted therapy through a 3D computational approach JAFARI NIVLOUEI et al.

Sahar Jafari Nivlouei, Madjid Soltani, Ebrahim Shirani, Mohammad Reza Salimpour, Rui Travasso, João Carvalho

Abstract

1## INTRODUCTION Cancer is characterized by the aberrant properties of tumor cells, including abnormal fast growth and division as well as the resistance to apoptosis. The initiation and development of cancer often depend on a series of genetic mutations affecting cellular programs. This leads to the effort by the scientific community on identifying the molecular basis of cancer and on the development of mathematical and computational approaches addressing tumor morphological evolution. The main goal of such models is to describe the observed phenomena based on the biological mechanisms that c

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A 3D multiscale cell‑based model accurately reproduces avascular and vascular tumor growth and predicts how chemotherapy timing, dosing (MTD vs metronomic) and targeted pathway inhibition affect tumor size and recurrence.

What’s new

i.Developed a three‑dimensional cell‑based multiscale model linking intracellular signaling, cell‑ECM interactions, and angiogenesis
ii.Simulated both avascular and vascular tumor growth with realistic irregular geometry
iii.Modeled cytotoxic chemotherapy distribution and compared MTD versus metronomic dosing
iv.Integrated targeted‑therapy pathway inhibition with chemotherapy to assess combination efficacy
v.Analyzed impact of treatment initiation delay and dosing schedules on tumor dormancy and recurrence

How they did it

The authors constructed a 3D agent‑based tumor model where each cell’s behavior is driven by an intracellular Boolean signaling network and mechanical interactions with the extracellular matrix. Drug and nutrient transport were solved with diffusion‑reaction equations, allowing simulation of avascular and vascular phases and multiple chemotherapy cycles. Different dosing protocols and pathway‑blocking interventions were then tested in silico.

What they found

Numerical tumor size matched experimental data within 9% for avascular growth
Early chemotherapy initiation reduced tumor size markedly; delayed start prolonged dormancy (76 days) and postponed recurrence by ~40 days
Low‑dose metronomic chemotherapy eradicated tumors in early stages, outperforming MTD schedules
Combining targeted pathway blockade with chemotherapy achieved long‑term tumor control, whereas chemotherapy alone often failed

Caveats

✕High computational cost of full 3D simulations limits rapid parameter sweeps
✕Model parameters were calibrated to specific experimental setups, reducing generalizability
✕Simplified drug pharmacokinetics and vascular remodeling may omit some biological complexities
✕Validation performed mainly on one tumor type and geometry

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