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Cogno N, Axenie C, Bauer R, Vavourakis V. Agent-based modeling in cancer biomedicine: applications and tools for calibration and validation. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2344600. [PMID: 38678381 PMCID: PMC11057625 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2344600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Computational models are not just appealing because they can simulate and predict the development of biological phenomena across multiple spatial and temporal scales, but also because they can integrate information from well-established in vitro and in vivo models and test new hypotheses in cancer biomedicine. Agent-based models and simulations are especially interesting candidates among computational modeling procedures in cancer research due to the capability to, for instance, recapitulate the dynamics of neoplasia and tumor - host interactions. Yet, the absence of methods to validate the consistency of the results across scales can hinder adoption by turning fine-tuned models into black boxes. This review compiles relevant literature that explores strategies to leverage high-fidelity simulations of multi-scale, or multi-level, cancer models with a focus on verification approached as simulation calibration. We consolidate our review with an outline of modern approaches for agent-based models' validation and provide an ambitious outlook toward rigorous and reliable calibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Cogno
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universit¨at Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Cristian Axenie
- Computer Science Department and Center for Artificial Intelligence, Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Roman Bauer
- Nature Inspired Computing and Engineering Research Group, Computer Science Research Centre, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Vasileios Vavourakis
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Lorenzo G, Ahmed SR, Hormuth DA, Vaughn B, Kalpathy-Cramer J, Solorio L, Yankeelov TE, Gomez H. Patient-Specific, Mechanistic Models of Tumor Growth Incorporating Artificial Intelligence and Big Data. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2024; 26:529-560. [PMID: 38594947 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-081623-025834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Despite the remarkable advances in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management over the past decade, malignant tumors remain a major public health problem. Further progress in combating cancer may be enabled by personalizing the delivery of therapies according to the predicted response for each individual patient. The design of personalized therapies requires the integration of patient-specific information with an appropriate mathematical model of tumor response. A fundamental barrier to realizing this paradigm is the current lack of a rigorous yet practical mathematical theory of tumor initiation, development, invasion, and response to therapy. We begin this review with an overview of different approaches to modeling tumor growth and treatment, including mechanistic as well as data-driven models based on big data and artificial intelligence. We then present illustrative examples of mathematical models manifesting their utility and discuss the limitations of stand-alone mechanistic and data-driven models. We then discuss the potential of mechanistic models for not only predicting but also optimizing response to therapy on a patient-specific basis. We describe current efforts and future possibilities to integrate mechanistic and data-driven models. We conclude by proposing five fundamental challenges that must be addressed to fully realize personalized care for cancer patients driven by computational models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Lorenzo
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Syed Rakin Ahmed
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Graduate Program in Biophysics, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David A Hormuth
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Brenna Vaughn
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA;
| | | | - Luis Solorio
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA;
| | - Thomas E Yankeelov
- Department of Imaging Physics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Oncology, and Department of Diagnostic Medicine, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Hector Gomez
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA;
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Oraiopoulou ME, Tzamali E, Psycharakis SE, Tzedakis G, Makatounakis T, Manolitsi K, Drakos E, Vakis AF, Zacharakis G, Papamatheakis J, Sakkalis V. The Temozolomide-Doxorubicin paradox in Glioblastoma in vitro-in silico preclinical drug-screening. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3759. [PMID: 38355655 PMCID: PMC10866941 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53684-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Adjuvant Temozolomide is considered the front-line Glioblastoma chemotherapeutic treatment; yet not all patients respond. Latest trends in clinical trials usually refer to Doxorubicin; yet it can lead to severe side-effects if administered in high doses. While Glioblastoma prognosis remains poor, little is known about the combination of the two chemotherapeutics. Patient-derived spheroids were generated and treated with a range of Temozolomide/Doxorubicin concentrations either as monotherapy or in combination. Optical microscopy was used to monitor the growth pattern and cell death. Based on the monotherapy experiments, we developed a probabilistic mathematical framework in order to describe the drug-induced effect at the single-cell level and simulate drug doses in combination assuming probabilistic independence. Doxorubicin was found to be effective in doses even four orders of magnitude less than Temozolomide in monotherapy. The combination therapy doses tested in vitro were able to lead to irreversible growth inhibition at doses where monotherapy resulted in relapse. In our simulations, we assumed both drugs are anti-mitotic; Temozolomide has a growth-arrest effect, while Doxorubicin is able to cumulatively cause necrosis. Interestingly, under no mechanistic synergy assumption, the in silico predictions underestimate the in vitro results. In silico models allow the exploration of a variety of potential underlying hypotheses. The simulated-biological discrepancy at certain doses indicates a supra-additive response when both drugs are combined. Our results suggest a Temozolomide-Doxorubicin dual chemotherapeutic scheme to both disable proliferation and increase cytotoxicity against Glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam-Eleni Oraiopoulou
- Institute of Computer Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
- Cancer Research UK - Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eleftheria Tzamali
- Institute of Computer Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Stylianos E Psycharakis
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Georgios Tzedakis
- Institute of Computer Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Takis Makatounakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Katina Manolitsi
- University General Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elias Drakos
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- University General Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Antonis F Vakis
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- University General Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Giannis Zacharakis
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Joseph Papamatheakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Vangelis Sakkalis
- Institute of Computer Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece.
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Rezaeian M, Heidari H, Raahemifar K, Soltani M. Image-Based Modeling of Drug Delivery during Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in a Heterogeneous Tumor Nodule. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5069. [PMID: 37894436 PMCID: PMC10604968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy is a promising treatment approach for patients diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis, allowing the direct delivery of therapeutic agents to the tumor site within the abdominal cavity. Nevertheless, limited drug penetration into the tumor remains a primary drawback of this method. The process of delivering drugs to the tumor entails numerous complications, primarily stemming from the specific pathophysiology of the tumor. Investigating drug delivery during IP chemotherapy and studying the parameters affecting it are challenging due to the limitations of experimental studies. In contrast, mathematical modeling, with its capabilities such as enabling single-parameter studies, and cost and time efficiency, emerges as a potent tool for this purpose. In this study, we developed a numerical model to investigate IP chemotherapy by incorporating an actual image of a tumor with heterogeneous vasculature. The tumor's geometry is reconstructed using image processing techniques. The model also incorporates drug binding and uptake by cancer cells. After 60 min of IP treatment with Doxorubicin, the area under the curve (AUC) of the average free drug concentration versus time curve, serving as an indicator of drug availability to the tumor, reached 295.18 mol·m-3·s-1. Additionally, the half-width parameter W1/2, which reflects drug penetration into the tumor, ranged from 0.11 to 0.14 mm. Furthermore, the treatment resulted in a fraction of killed cells reaching 20.4% by the end of the procedure. Analyzing the spatial distribution of interstitial fluid velocity, pressure, and drug concentration in the tumor revealed that the heterogeneous distribution of tumor vasculature influences the drug delivery process. Our findings underscore the significance of considering the specific vascular network of a tumor when modeling intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The proposed methodology holds promise for application in patient-specific studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Rezaeian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 19967-15433, Iran;
| | - Hamidreza Heidari
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA;
| | - Kaamran Raahemifar
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Program, College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), Penn State University, State College, PA 16801, USA;
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Madjid Soltani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 19967-15433, Iran;
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Advanced Bioengineering Initiative Center, Multidisciplinary International Complex, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 19967-15433, Iran
- Computational Medicine Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 19967-15433, Iran
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CBB), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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Currie GM. The emerging role of artificial intelligence and digital twins in pre-clinical molecular imaging. Nucl Med Biol 2023; 120-121:108337. [PMID: 37030076 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2023.108337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pre-clinical molecular imaging, particularly with mice, is an essential part of drug and radiopharmaceutical development. There remain ethical challenges to reduce, refine and replace animal imaging where possible. METHOD A number of approaches have been adopted to reduce the use of mice including using algorithmic approaches to animal modelling. Digital twins have been used to create a virtual model of mice, however, exploring the potential of deep learning approaches to digital twin development may enhance capabilities and application in research. RESULTS Generative adversarial networks produce generated images that sufficiently resemble reality that they could be adapted to create digital twins. Specific genetic mouse models have greater homogeneity making them more receptive to modelling and suitable specifically for digital twin simulation. CONCLUSION There are numerous benefits of digital twins in pre-clinical imaging including improved outcomes, fewer animal studies, shorter development timelines and lower costs.
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