1
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Wirthl B, Janko C, Lyer S, Schrefler BA, Alexiou C, Wall WA. An in silico model of the capturing of magnetic nanoparticles in tumour spheroids in the presence of flow. Biomed Microdevices 2023; 26:1. [PMID: 38008813 PMCID: PMC10678808 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-023-00685-9] [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] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
One of the main challenges in improving the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs is that they do not reach the cancer cells at sufficiently high doses while at the same time affecting healthy tissue and causing significant side effects and suffering in cancer patients. To overcome this deficiency, magnetic nanoparticles as transporter systems have emerged as a promising approach to achieve more specific tumour targeting. Drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles can be directed to the target tissue by applying an external magnetic field. However, the magnetic forces exerted on the nanoparticles fall off rapidly with distance, making the tumour targeting challenging, even more so in the presence of flowing blood or interstitial fluid. We therefore present a computational model of the capturing of magnetic nanoparticles in a test setup: our model includes the flow around the tumour, the magnetic forces that guide the nanoparticles, and the transport within the tumour. We show how a model for the transport of magnetic nanoparticles in an external magnetic field can be integrated with a multiphase tumour model based on the theory of porous media. Our approach based on the underlying physical mechanisms can provide crucial insights into mechanisms that cannot be studied conclusively in experimental research alone. Such a computational model enables an efficient and systematic exploration of the nanoparticle design space, first in a controlled test setup and then in more complex in vivo scenarios. As an effective tool for minimising costly trial-and-error design methods, it expedites translation into clinical practice to improve therapeutic outcomes and limit adverse effects for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Wirthl
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Engineering Physics & Computation, Garching bei München, Germany.
| | - Christina Janko
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Lyer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), Professorship for AI-Guided Nanomaterials within the framework of the Hightech Agenda (HTA) of the Free State of Bavaria, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernhard A Schrefler
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Christoph Alexiou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung Professorship, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang A Wall
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Engineering Physics & Computation, Garching bei München, Germany
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2
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Fritz M. Tumor Evolution Models of Phase-Field Type with Nonlocal Effects and Angiogenesis. Bull Math Biol 2023; 85:44. [PMID: 37081144 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-023-01151-6] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
In this survey article, a variety of systems modeling tumor growth are discussed. In accordance with the hallmarks of cancer, the described models incorporate the primary characteristics of cancer evolution. Specifically, we focus on diffusive interface models and follow the phase-field approach that describes the tumor as a collection of cells. Such systems are based on a multiphase approach that employs constitutive laws and balance laws for individual constituents. In mathematical oncology, numerous biological phenomena are involved, including temporal and spatial nonlocal effects, complex nonlinearities, stochasticity, and mixed-dimensional couplings. Using the models, for instance, we can express angiogenesis and cell-to-matrix adhesion effects. Finally, we offer some methods for numerically approximating the models and show simulations of the tumor's evolution in response to various biological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Fritz
- Computational Methods for PDEs, Johann Radon Institute for Computational and Applied Mathematics, Linz, Austria.
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3
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Hervas-Raluy S, Wirthl B, Guerrero PE, Robalo Rei G, Nitzler J, Coronado E, Font de Mora Sainz J, Schrefler BA, Gomez-Benito MJ, Garcia-Aznar JM, Wall WA. Tumour growth: An approach to calibrate parameters of a multiphase porous media model based on in vitro observations of Neuroblastoma spheroid growth in a hydrogel microenvironment. Comput Biol Med 2023; 159:106895. [PMID: 37060771 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106895] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
To unravel processes that lead to the growth of solid tumours, it is necessary to link knowledge of cancer biology with the physical properties of the tumour and its interaction with the surrounding microenvironment. Our understanding of the underlying mechanisms is however still imprecise. We therefore developed computational physics-based models, which incorporate the interaction of the tumour with its surroundings based on the theory of porous media. However, the experimental validation of such models represents a challenge to its clinical use as a prognostic tool. This study combines a physics-based model with in vitro experiments based on microfluidic devices used to mimic a three-dimensional tumour microenvironment. By conducting a global sensitivity analysis, we identify the most influential input parameters and infer their posterior distribution based on Bayesian calibration. The resulting probability density is in agreement with the scattering of the experimental data and thus validates the proposed workflow. This study demonstrates the huge challenges associated with determining precise parameters with usually only limited data for such complex processes and models, but also demonstrates in general how to indirectly characterise the mechanical properties of neuroblastoma spheroids that cannot feasibly be measured experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Hervas-Raluy
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Aragon Institute for Engineering Research (I3A), Maria de Luna 3, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain.
| | - Barbara Wirthl
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Engineering Physics & Computation, Boltzmannstraße 15, Garching b. Munich, 85748, Germany
| | - Pedro E Guerrero
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Aragon Institute for Engineering Research (I3A), Maria de Luna 3, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
| | - Gil Robalo Rei
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Engineering Physics & Computation, Boltzmannstraße 15, Garching b. Munich, 85748, Germany
| | - Jonas Nitzler
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Engineering Physics & Computation, Boltzmannstraße 15, Garching b. Munich, 85748, Germany; Professorship for Data-Driven Materials Modeling, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Engineering Physics & Computation, Boltzmannstraße 15, Garching b. Munich, 85748, Germany
| | - Esther Coronado
- Clinical and Translational Oncology Research Group, Instituto de Investigación La Fe,, Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Valencia, 46026, Spain
| | - Jaime Font de Mora Sainz
- Clinical and Translational Oncology Research Group, Instituto de Investigación La Fe,, Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Valencia, 46026, Spain
| | - Bernhard A Schrefler
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padua, Marzolo 9, Padua, 35131, Italy; Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, Garching b. Munich, 85748, Germany
| | - Maria Jose Gomez-Benito
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Aragon Institute for Engineering Research (I3A), Maria de Luna 3, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Garcia-Aznar
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Aragon Institute for Engineering Research (I3A), Maria de Luna 3, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
| | - Wolfgang A Wall
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Department of Engineering Physics & Computation, Boltzmannstraße 15, Garching b. Munich, 85748, Germany
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4
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Urcun S, Baroli D, Rohan PY, Skalli W, Lubrano V, Bordas SP, Sciumè G. Non-operable glioblastoma: Proposition of patient-specific forecasting by image-informed poromechanical model. BRAIN MULTIPHYSICS 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brain.2023.100067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
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5
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Osteolytic vs. Osteoblastic Metastatic Lesion: Computational Modeling of the Mechanical Behavior in the Human Vertebra after Screws Fixation Procedure. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11102850. [PMID: 35628977 PMCID: PMC9144065 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11102850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic lesions compromise the mechanical integrity of vertebrae, increasing the fracture risk. Screw fixation is usually performed to guarantee spinal stability and prevent dramatic fracture events. Accordingly, predicting the overall mechanical response in such conditions is critical to planning and optimizing surgical treatment. This work proposes an image-based finite element computational approach describing the mechanical behavior of a patient-specific instrumented metastatic vertebra by assessing the effect of lesion size, location, type, and shape on the fracture load and fracture patterns under physiological loading conditions. A specific constitutive model for metastasis is integrated to account for the effect of the diseased tissue on the bone material properties. Computational results demonstrate that size, location, and type of metastasis significantly affect the overall vertebral mechanical response and suggest a better way to account for these parameters in estimating the fracture risk. Combining multiple osteolytic lesions to account for the irregular shape of the overall metastatic tissue does not significantly affect the vertebra fracture load. In addition, the combination of loading mode and metastasis type is shown for the first time as a critical modeling parameter in determining fracture risk. The proposed computational approach moves toward defining a clinically integrated tool to improve the management of metastatic vertebrae and quantitatively evaluate fracture risk.
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6
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Urcun S, Rohan PY, Sciumè G, Bordas SPA. Cortex tissue relaxation and slow to medium load rates dependency can be captured by a two-phase flow poroelastic model. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 126:104952. [PMID: 34906865 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This paper investigates the complex time-dependent behavior of cortex tissue, under adiabatic condition, using a two-phase flow poroelastic model. Motivated by experiments and Biot's consolidation theory, we tackle time-dependent uniaxial loading, confined and unconfined, with various geometries and loading rates from 1μm/s to 100μm/s. The cortex tissue is modeled as the porous solid saturated by two immiscible fluids, with dynamic viscosities separated by four orders, resulting in two different characteristic times. These are respectively associated to interstitial fluid and glial cells. The partial differential equations system is discretized in space by the finite element method and in time by Euler-implicit scheme. The solution is computed using a monolithic scheme within the open-source computational framework FEniCS. The parameters calibration is based on Sobol sensitivity analysis, which divides them into two groups: the tissue specific group, whose parameters represent general properties, and sample specific group, whose parameters have greater variations. Our results show that the experimental curves can be reproduced without the need to resort to viscous solid effects, by adding an additional fluid phase. Through this process, we aim to present multiphase poromechanics as a promising way to a unified brain tissue modeling framework in a variety of settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Urcun
- Institute for Computational Engineering Sciences, Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculté des Sciences, de la Technologie et de Médecine, Université du Luxembourg, Campus Kirchberg, Luxembourg; Institut de Biomécanique Humaine Georges Charpak, Arts et Métiers ParisTech, Paris, France; Institut de Mécanique et d'Ingénierie (I2M), Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, ENSAM, Bordeaux INP, Talence, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Rohan
- Institut de Biomécanique Humaine Georges Charpak, Arts et Métiers ParisTech, Paris, France
| | - Giuseppe Sciumè
- Institut de Mécanique et d'Ingénierie (I2M), Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, ENSAM, Bordeaux INP, Talence, France
| | - Stéphane P A Bordas
- Institute for Computational Engineering Sciences, Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculté des Sciences, de la Technologie et de Médecine, Université du Luxembourg, Campus Kirchberg, Luxembourg.
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7
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Reye G, Huang X, Haupt LM, Murphy RJ, Northey JJ, Thompson EW, Momot KI, Hugo HJ. Mechanical Pressure Driving Proteoglycan Expression in Mammographic Density: a Self-perpetuating Cycle? J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021; 26:277-296. [PMID: 34449016 PMCID: PMC8566410 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-021-09494-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Regions of high mammographic density (MD) in the breast are characterised by a proteoglycan (PG)-rich fibrous stroma, where PGs mediate aligned collagen fibrils to control tissue stiffness and hence the response to mechanical forces. Literature is accumulating to support the notion that mechanical stiffness may drive PG synthesis in the breast contributing to MD. We review emerging patterns in MD and other biological settings, of a positive feedback cycle of force promoting PG synthesis, such as in articular cartilage, due to increased pressure on weight bearing joints. Furthermore, we present evidence to suggest a pro-tumorigenic effect of increased mechanical force on epithelial cells in contexts where PG-mediated, aligned collagen fibrous tissue abounds, with implications for breast cancer development attributable to high MD. Finally, we summarise means through which this positive feedback mechanism of PG synthesis may be intercepted to reduce mechanical force within tissues and thus reduce disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Reye
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Xuan Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Larisa M Haupt
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Ryan J Murphy
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason J Northey
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Erik W Thompson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Konstantin I Momot
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Honor J Hugo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia.
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
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8
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Urcun S, Rohan PY, Skalli W, Nassoy P, Bordas SPA, Sciumè G. Digital twinning of Cellular Capsule Technology: Emerging outcomes from the perspective of porous media mechanics. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254512. [PMID: 34252146 PMCID: PMC8274916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spheroids encapsulated within alginate capsules are emerging as suitable in vitro tools to investigate the impact of mechanical forces on tumor growth since the internal tumor pressure can be retrieved from the deformation of the capsule. Here we focus on the particular case of Cellular Capsule Technology (CCT). We show in this contribution that a modeling approach accounting for the triphasic nature of the spheroid (extracellular matrix, tumor cells and interstitial fluid) offers a new perspective of analysis revealing that the pressure retrieved experimentally cannot be interpreted as a direct picture of the pressure sustained by the tumor cells and, as such, cannot therefore be used to quantify the critical pressure which induces stress-induced phenotype switch in tumor cells. The proposed multiphase reactive poro-mechanical model was cross-validated. Parameter sensitivity analyses on the digital twin revealed that the main parameters determining the encapsulated growth configuration are different from those driving growth in free condition, confirming that radically different phenomena are at play. Results reported in this contribution support the idea that multiphase reactive poro-mechanics is an exceptional theoretical framework to attain an in-depth understanding of CCT experiments, to confirm their hypotheses and to further improve their design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Urcun
- Institut de Biomécanique Humaine Georges Charpak, Arts et Metiers Institute of Technology, Paris, France
- Department of Engineering Sciences, Institute for Computational Engineering Sciences, Faculté des Sciences de la Technologie et de Médecine, Université du Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Institut de Mécanique et d’Ingénierie, Université de Bordeaux, Talence, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Rohan
- Institut de Biomécanique Humaine Georges Charpak, Arts et Metiers Institute of Technology, Paris, France
| | - Wafa Skalli
- Institut de Biomécanique Humaine Georges Charpak, Arts et Metiers Institute of Technology, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Nassoy
- Institut d’Optique Graduate School, CNRS UMR 5298, Talence, France
| | - Stéphane P. A. Bordas
- Department of Engineering Sciences, Institute for Computational Engineering Sciences, Faculté des Sciences de la Technologie et de Médecine, Université du Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Giuseppe Sciumè
- Institut de Mécanique et d’Ingénierie, Université de Bordeaux, Talence, France
- * E-mail:
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9
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Akbarpour Ghazani M, Saghafian M, Jalali P, Soltani M. Mathematical simulation and prediction of tumor volume using RBF artificial neural network at different circumstances in the tumor microenvironment. Proc Inst Mech Eng H 2021; 235:1335-1355. [PMID: 34247529 PMCID: PMC8573697 DOI: 10.1177/09544119211028380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Uncontrolled proliferation of cells in a tissue caused by genetic mutations inside a cell is referred to as a tumor. A tumor which grows rapidly encounters a barrier when it grows to a certain size in presence of preexisting vasculature. This is the time when it has to find a way to go on the growth. The tumor starts to secrete tumor angiogenic factors (TAFs) and stimulate preexisting vessels to grow new sprouts. These new sprouts will find their way to the tumor in the extracellular matrix (ECM) by the gradient of TAF. As these new capillaries anastomose and reach tumor, fresh oxygen is available for the tumor and it will reinitiate the growth. Number of initial sprouts, distance of initial tumor cells from the vessel(s) and initial density of the tumor at the time of sprout formation are questions which are to be investigated. In the present study, the aim is to find the response of tumor cells and vessels to the reciprocal effects of each other in different circumstances in the tissue. Together with a mathematical formulation, a radial basis function (RBF) neural network is established to predict the number of tumor cells at different circumstances including size and distance of initial tumors from the parent vessel. A final formulation is given for the final number of tumor cells as a function of initial tumor size and distance between a parent vessel and a tumor. Results of this simulation demonstrate that, increasing the distance between a tumor and a parent vessel decreases the number of final tumor cells. Specially, this decrement becomes faster beyond a certain distance. Moreover, initial tumors in bigger domains must become much bigger before inducing angiogenesis which makes it harder for them to survive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Akbarpour Ghazani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Saghafian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Peyman Jalali
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Madjid Soltani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CBB), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Advanced Bioengineering Initiative Center, Computational Medicine Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Drug delivery: Experiments, mathematical modelling and machine learning. Comput Biol Med 2020; 123:103820. [PMID: 32658778 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.103820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
We address the problem of determining from laboratory experiments the data necessary for a proper modeling of drug delivery and efficacy in anticancer therapy. There is an inherent difficulty in extracting the necessary parameters, because the experiments often yield an insufficient quantity of information. To overcome this difficulty, we propose to combine real experiments, numerical simulation, and Machine Learning (ML) based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), aiming at a reliable identification of the physical model factors, e.g. the killing action of the drug. To this purpose, we exploit the employed mathematical-numerical model for tumor growth and drug delivery, together with the ANN - ML procedure, to integrate the results of the experimental tests and feed back the model itself, thus obtaining a reliable predictive tool. The procedure represents a hybrid data-driven, physics-informed approach to machine learning. The physical and mathematical model employed for the numerical simulations is without extracellular matrix (ECM) and healthy cells because of the experimental conditions we reproduce.
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11
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Albrecht M, Lucarelli P, Kulms D, Sauter T. Computational models of melanoma. Theor Biol Med Model 2020; 17:8. [PMID: 32410672 PMCID: PMC7222475 DOI: 10.1186/s12976-020-00126-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes, proteins, or cells influence each other and consequently create patterns, which can be increasingly better observed by experimental biology and medicine. Thereby, descriptive methods of statistics and bioinformatics sharpen and structure our perception. However, additionally considering the interconnectivity between biological elements promises a deeper and more coherent understanding of melanoma. For instance, integrative network-based tools and well-grounded inductive in silico research reveal disease mechanisms, stratify patients, and support treatment individualization. This review gives an overview of different modeling techniques beyond statistics, shows how different strategies align with the respective medical biology, and identifies possible areas of new computational melanoma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Albrecht
- Systems Biology Group, Life Science Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, 6, avenue du Swing, Belval, 4367 Luxembourg
| | - Philippe Lucarelli
- Systems Biology Group, Life Science Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, 6, avenue du Swing, Belval, 4367 Luxembourg
| | - Dagmar Kulms
- Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstraße 105, Dresden, 01307 Germany
| | - Thomas Sauter
- Systems Biology Group, Life Science Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, 6, avenue du Swing, Belval, 4367 Luxembourg
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12
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Le Maout V, Alessandri K, Gurchenkov B, Bertin H, Nassoy P, Sciumè G. Role of mechanical cues and hypoxia on the growth of tumor cells in strong and weak confinement: A dual in vitro-in silico approach. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz7130. [PMID: 32232163 PMCID: PMC7096162 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz7130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Characterization of tumor growth dynamics is of major importance for cancer understanding. By contrast with phenomenological approaches, mechanistic modeling can facilitate disclosing underlying tumor mechanisms and lead to identification of physical factors affecting proliferation and invasive behavior. Current mathematical models are often formulated at the tissue or organ scale with the scope of a direct clinical usefulness. Consequently, these approaches remain empirical and do not allow gaining insight into the tumor properties at the scale of small cell aggregates. Here, experimental and numerical studies of the dynamics of tumor aggregates are performed to propose a physics-based mathematical model as a general framework to investigate tumor microenvironment. The quantitative data extracted from the cellular capsule technology microfluidic experiments allow a thorough quantitative comparison with in silico experiments. This dual approach demonstrates the relative impact of oxygen and external mechanical forces during the time course of tumor model progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Le Maout
- I2M, Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, ENSAM, Bordeaux INP, Talence, France
| | - K. Alessandri
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, Univ. Bordeaux, F-33400 Talence, France
- Institut d’Optique Graduate School and CNRS UMR 5298, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - B. Gurchenkov
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moëlle épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - H. Bertin
- I2M, Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, ENSAM, Bordeaux INP, Talence, France
| | - P. Nassoy
- LP2N, Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, Univ. Bordeaux, F-33400 Talence, France
- Institut d’Optique Graduate School and CNRS UMR 5298, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - G. Sciumè
- I2M, Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, ENSAM, Bordeaux INP, Talence, France
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13
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Wirthl B, Kremheller J, Schrefler BA, Wall WA. Extension of a multiphase tumour growth model to study nanoparticle delivery to solid tumours. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228443. [PMID: 32023318 PMCID: PMC7001947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the main challenges in increasing the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutics is the fact that they do not reach cancerous cells at a sufficiently high dosage. In order to remedy this deficiency, nanoparticle-based drugs have evolved as a promising novel approach to more specific tumour targeting. Nevertheless, several biophysical phenomena prevent the sufficient penetration of nanoparticles in order to target the entire tumour. We therefore extend our vascular multiphase tumour growth model, enabling it to investigate the influence of different biophysical factors on the distribution of nanoparticles in the tumour microenvironment. The novel model permits the examination of the interplay between the size of vessel-wall pores, the permeability of the blood-vessel endothelium and the lymphatic drainage on the delivery of particles of different sizes. Solid tumours develop a non-perfused core and increased interstitial pressure. Our model confirms that those two typical features of solid tumours limit nanoparticle delivery. Only in case of small nanoparticles is the transport dominated by diffusion, and particles can reach the entire tumour. The size of the vessel-wall pores and the permeability of the blood-vessel endothelium have a major impact on the amount of delivered nanoparticles. This extended in-silico tumour growth model permits the examination of the characteristics and of the limitations of nanoparticle delivery to solid tumours, which currently complicate the translation of nanoparticle therapy to a clinical stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Wirthl
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching b. München, Germany
| | - Johannes Kremheller
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching b. München, Germany
| | - Bernhard A. Schrefler
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching b. München, Germany
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Wolfgang A. Wall
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching b. München, Germany
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14
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Kremheller J, Vuong AT, Schrefler BA, Wall WA. An approach for vascular tumor growth based on a hybrid embedded/homogenized treatment of the vasculature within a multiphase porous medium model. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2019; 35:e3253. [PMID: 31441222 DOI: 10.1002/cnm.3253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work is to develop a novel computational approach to facilitate the modeling of angiogenesis during tumor growth. The preexisting vasculature is modeled as a 1D inclusion and embedded into the 3D tissue through a suitable coupling method, which allows for nonmatching meshes in 1D and 3D domain. The neovasculature, which is formed during angiogenesis, is represented in a homogenized way as a phase in our multiphase porous medium system. This splitting of models is motivated by the highly complex morphology, physiology, and flow patterns in the neovasculature, which are challenging and computationally expensive to resolve with a discrete, 1D angiogenesis and blood flow model. Moreover, it is questionable if a discrete representation generates any useful additional insight. By contrast, our model may be classified as a hybrid vascular multiphase tumor growth model in the sense that a discrete, 1D representation of the preexisting vasculature is coupled with a continuum model describing angiogenesis. It is based on an originally avascular model which has been derived via the thermodynamically constrained averaging theory. The new model enables us to study mass transport from the preexisting vasculature into the neovasculature and tumor tissue. We show by means of several illustrative examples that it is indeed capable of reproducing important aspects of vascular tumor growth phenomenologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Kremheller
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Anh-Tu Vuong
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Bernhard A Schrefler
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Wolfgang A Wall
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
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15
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An analytical poroelastic model of a spherical tumor embedded in normal tissue under creep compression. J Biomech 2019; 89:48-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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16
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Liang Y, Yang R, Guo Y, Jiang C, Liu L, Wan Y, Shao Y. Spatiotemporal dynamics of different growth-diffusion systems on a percolation lattice. Phys Rev E 2019; 99:042401. [PMID: 31108584 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.99.042401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the proliferation and invasion of a tumor within an inhomogeneous matrix, we studied the spatiotemporal dynamics of two types of growth-diffusion systems (GDSs) with logistic or Allee growth occurring on a two-dimensional square site percolation lattice via numerical computation and finite-size scaling approaches. A critical percolation threshold exists in the two systems, but becomes obscure with an increasing Allee effect in Allee growth. The two systems evidently differ in their short-time spatiotemporal patterns: The tumor number density in the logistic model grows and spreads continuously and subdiffusively or weakly superdiffusively while that in the Allee model does so discretely and strongly superdiffusively. This difference is attributed to a lack of cooperation between sites for growth and diffusion in the logistic model as compared to its Allee counterpart. The Allee growth pattern is characterized by a rougher border and more inhomogeneous interior than its logistic counterpart. Judging from their growth-diffusion feature in combination with a clinical image analysis, we conclude that Allee growth is more suitable for modeling the proliferation and invasion of an early-stage malignant tumor than is logistic growth. A phase diagram that correlates a tumor's growth and diffusion on a percolation lattice with a site occupation fraction and Allee effect was established to reveal the sensitivity on proliferation and spreading of a tumor towards the above parameters. The Allee effect was also found to induce diverse dynamic features on its short-time growth and diffusion in the GDS, which brings in an opposite trend toward a tumor's growth and diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqin Liang
- School of Physics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Renlong Yang
- School of Physics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yifan Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Chongming Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Lizhi Liu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yanzi Wan
- School of Physics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuanzhi Shao
- School of Physics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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17
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Santagiuliana R, Milosevic M, Milicevic B, Sciumè G, Simic V, Ziemys A, Kojic M, Schrefler BA. Coupling tumor growth and bio distribution models. Biomed Microdevices 2019; 21:33. [PMID: 30906958 PMCID: PMC6686908 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-019-0368-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We couple a tumor growth model embedded in a microenvironment, with a bio distribution model able to simulate a whole organ. The growth model yields the evolution of tumor cell population, of the differential pressure between cell populations, of porosity of ECM, of consumption of nutrients due to tumor growth, of angiogenesis, and related growth factors as function of the locally available nutrient. The bio distribution model on the other hand operates on a frozen geometry but yields a much refined distribution of nutrient and other molecules. The combination of both models will enable simulating the growth of a tumor in a whole organ, including a realistic distribution of therapeutic agents and allow hence to evaluate the efficacy of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Santagiuliana
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Miljan Milosevic
- Bioengineering Research and Development Center BioIRC Kragujevac, Prvoslava Stojanovica 6, Kragujevac, 34000, Serbia
- Belgrade Metropolitan University, Tadeuša Košćuška 63, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Bogdan Milicevic
- Bioengineering Research and Development Center BioIRC Kragujevac, Prvoslava Stojanovica 6, Kragujevac, 34000, Serbia
| | - Giuseppe Sciumè
- Institut de Mécanique et d'Ingénierie (I2M, CNRS UMR 5295), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Vladimir Simic
- Bioengineering Research and Development Center BioIRC Kragujevac, Prvoslava Stojanovica 6, Kragujevac, 34000, Serbia
| | - Arturas Ziemys
- The Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., R7 117, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Milos Kojic
- Bioengineering Research and Development Center BioIRC Kragujevac, Prvoslava Stojanovica 6, Kragujevac, 34000, Serbia
- The Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., R7 117, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Knez Mihailova 35, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Bernhard A Schrefler
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy
- The Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., R7 117, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 2a, D-85748, Garching b. München, Germany
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18
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Falcinelli C, Di Martino A, Gizzi A, Vairo G, Denaro V. Mechanical behavior of metastatic femurs through patient-specific computational models accounting for bone-metastasis interaction. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2019; 93:9-22. [PMID: 30738327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This paper proposes a computational model based on a finite-element formulation for describing the mechanical behavior of femurs affected by metastatic lesions. A novel geometric/constitutive description is introduced by modelling healthy bone and metastases via a linearly poroelastic constitutive approach. A Gaussian-shaped graded transition of material properties between healthy and metastatic tissues is prescribed, in order to account for the bone-metastasis interaction. Loading-induced failure processes are simulated by implementing a progressive damage procedure, formulated via a quasi-static displacement-driven incremental approach, and considering both a stress- and a strain-based failure criterion. By addressing a real clinical case, left and right patient-specific femur models are geometrically reconstructed via an ad-hoc imaging procedure and embedding multiple distributions of metastatic lesions along femurs. Significant differences in fracture loads, fracture mechanisms, and damage patterns, are highlighted by comparing the proposed constitutive description with a purely elastic formulation, where the metastasis is treated as a pseudo-healthy tissue or as a void region. Proposed constitutive description allows to capture stress/strain localization mechanisms within the metastatic tissue, revealing the model capability in describing possible strain-induced mechano-biological stimuli driving onset and evolution of the lesion. The proposed approach opens towards the definition of effective computational strategies for supporting clinical decision and treatments regarding metastatic femurs, contributing also to overcome some limitations of actual standards and procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Falcinelli
- Department of Engineering, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Italy; Department of Civil Engineering & Computer Science, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy
| | - Alberto Di Martino
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Italy; Sideny Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University (SKMC), Philadelphia, USA
| | - Alessio Gizzi
- Department of Engineering, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vairo
- Department of Civil Engineering & Computer Science, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Denaro
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Italy
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19
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Dechristé G, Fehrenbach J, Griseti E, Lobjois V, Poignard C. Viscoelastic modeling of the fusion of multicellular tumor spheroids in growth phase. J Theor Biol 2018; 454:102-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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20
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Carotenuto A, Cutolo A, Petrillo A, Fusco R, Arra C, Sansone M, Larobina D, Cardoso L, Fraldi M. Growth and in vivo stresses traced through tumor mechanics enriched with predator-prey cells dynamics. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2018; 86:55-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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21
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Kremheller J, Vuong AT, Yoshihara L, Wall WA, Schrefler BA. A monolithic multiphase porous medium framework for (a-)vascular tumor growth. COMPUTER METHODS IN APPLIED MECHANICS AND ENGINEERING 2018; 340:657-683. [PMID: 33132456 PMCID: PMC7598028 DOI: 10.1016/j.cma.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We present a dynamic vascular tumor model combining a multiphase porous medium framework for avascular tumor growth in a consistent Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian formulation and a novel approach to incorporate angiogenesis. The multiphase model is based on Thermodynamically Constrained Averaging Theory and comprises the extracellular matrix as a porous solid phase and three fluid phases: (living and necrotic) tumor cells, host cells and the interstitial fluid. Angiogenesis is modeled by treating the neovasculature as a proper additional phase with volume fraction or blood vessel density. This allows us to define consistent inter-phase exchange terms between the neovasculature and the interstitial fluid. As a consequence, transcapillary leakage and lymphatic drainage can be modeled. By including these important processes we are able to reproduce the increased interstitial pressure in tumors which is a crucial factor in drug delivery and, thus, therapeutic outcome. Different coupling schemes to solve the resulting five-phase problem are realized and compared with respect to robustness and computational efficiency. We find that a fully monolithic approach is superior to both the standard partitioned and a hybrid monolithic-partitioned scheme for a wide range of parameters. The flexible implementation of the novel model makes further extensions (e.g., inclusion of additional phases and species) straightforward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Kremheller
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technische Universität München, Boltzmannstrasse 15, D-85748 Garching b. München, Germany
| | - Anh-Tu Vuong
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technische Universität München, Boltzmannstrasse 15, D-85748 Garching b. München, Germany
| | - Lena Yoshihara
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technische Universität München, Boltzmannstrasse 15, D-85748 Garching b. München, Germany
| | - Wolfgang A. Wall
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technische Universität München, Boltzmannstrasse 15, D-85748 Garching b. München, Germany
| | - Bernhard A. Schrefler
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 2a, D-85748 Garching b. München, Germany
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
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22
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Ng CF, Frieboes HB. Simulation of Multispecies Desmoplastic Cancer Growth via a Fully Adaptive Non-linear Full Multigrid Algorithm. Front Physiol 2018; 9:821. [PMID: 30050447 PMCID: PMC6052761 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A fully adaptive non-linear full multigrid (FMG) algorithm is implemented to computationally simulate a model of multispecies desmoplastic tumor growth in three spatial dimensions. The algorithm solves a thermodynamic mixture model employing a diffuse interface approach with Cahn-Hilliard-type fourth-order equations that are coupled, non-linear, and numerically stiff. The tumor model includes extracellular matrix (ECM) as a major component with elastic energy contribution in its chemical potential term. Blood and lymphatic vasculatures are simulated via continuum representations. The model employs advection-reaction-diffusion partial differential equations (PDEs) for the cell, ECM, and vascular components, and reaction-diffusion PDEs for the elements diffusing from the vessels. This study provides the details of the numerical solution obtained by applying the fully adaptive non-linear FMG algorithm with finite difference method to solve this complex system of PDEs. The results indicate that this type of computational model can simulate the extracellular matrix-rich desmoplastic tumor microenvironment typical of fibrotic tumors, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin F. Ng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Hermann B. Frieboes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
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23
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Santagiuliana R, Pereira RC, Schrefler BA, Decuzzi P. Predicting the role of microstructural and biomechanical cues in tumor growth and spreading. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2018; 34:e2935. [PMID: 29083532 DOI: 10.1002/cnm.2935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A continuum porous media model is developed for elucidating the role of the mechanical cues in regulating tumor growth and spreading. It is shown that stiffer matrices and higher cell-matrix adhesion limit tumor growth and spreading toward the surrounding tissue. Higher matrix porosities, conversely, favor the growth and the dissemination of tumor cells. This model could be used for predicting the response of malignant masses to novel therapeutic agents affecting directly the tumor microenvironment and its micromechanical cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Santagiuliana
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa, 16163, Italy
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile Edile ed Ambientale, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Rui C Pereira
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa, 16163, Italy
| | - Bernhard A Schrefler
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile Edile ed Ambientale, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa, 16163, Italy
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24
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Ng CF, Frieboes HB. Model of vascular desmoplastic multispecies tumor growth. J Theor Biol 2017; 430:245-282. [PMID: 28529153 PMCID: PMC5614902 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We present a three-dimensional nonlinear tumor growth model composed of heterogeneous cell types in a multicomponent-multispecies system, including viable, dead, healthy host, and extra-cellular matrix (ECM) tissue species. The model includes the capability for abnormal ECM dynamics noted in tumor development, as exemplified by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, including dense desmoplasia typically characterized by a significant increase of interstitial connective tissue. An elastic energy is implemented to provide elasticity to the connective tissue. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) are modeled as key contributors to this ECM remodeling. The tumor growth is driven by growth factors released by these stromal cells as well as by oxygen and glucose provided by blood vasculature which along with lymphatics are stimulated to proliferate in and around the tumor based on pro-angiogenic factors released by hypoxic tissue regions. Cellular metabolic processes are simulated, including respiration and glycolysis with lactate fermentation. The bicarbonate buffering system is included for cellular pH regulation. This model system may be of use to simulate the complex interactions between tumor and stromal cells as well as the associated ECM and vascular remodeling that typically characterize malignant cancers notorious for poor therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin F Ng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Lutz Hall 419, KY 40208, USA
| | - Hermann B Frieboes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Lutz Hall 419, KY 40208, USA; James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, KY, USA.
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25
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Xue SL, Lin SZ, Li B, Feng XQ. A nonlinear poroelastic theory of solid tumors with glycosaminoglycan swelling. J Theor Biol 2017; 433:49-56. [PMID: 28859927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mechanics plays a crucial role in the growth, development, and therapeutics of tumors. In this paper, a nonlinear poroelastic theory is established to describe the mechanical behaviors of solid tumors. The free-swollen state of a tumor is chosen as the reference state, which enables us to avoid pursuing a dry and stress-free state that is hard to achieve for living tissues. Our results reveal that the compression resistance of a tumor is primarily attributed to glycosaminoglycan (GAG) swelling, and the compactness of cell aggregates is found to affect tumor consolidation. Over-expressed GAGs and dense cell aggregates can stiffen the tumor, a remodeling mechanism that makes the tumor with higher elastic modulus than its surrounding host tissues. Glycosaminoglycan chains also influence the transient mechanical response of the tumor by modulating the tissue permeability. The theoretical results show good agreement with relevant experimental observations. This study may not only deepen our understanding of tumorigenesis but also provide cues for developing novel anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Lei Xue
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P R China
| | - Shao-Zhen Lin
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P R China
| | - Bo Li
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P R China.
| | - Xi-Qiao Feng
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P R China.
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26
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Vuong AT, Rauch AD, Wall WA. A biochemo-mechano coupled, computational model combining membrane transport and pericellular proteolysis in tissue mechanics. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci 2017; 473:20160812. [PMID: 28413347 DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2016.0812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a computational model for the interaction of surface- and volume-bound scalar transport and reaction processes with a deformable porous medium. The application in mind is pericellular proteolysis, i.e. the dissolution of the solid phase of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a response to the activation of certain chemical species at the cell membrane and in the vicinity of the cell. A poroelastic medium model represents the extra cellular scaffold and the interstitial fluid flow, while a surface-bound transport model accounts for the diffusion and reaction of membrane-bound chemical species. By further modelling the volume-bound transport, we consider the advection, diffusion and reaction of sequestered chemical species within the extracellular scaffold. The chemo-mechanical coupling is established by introducing a continuum formulation for the interplay of reaction rates and the mechanical state of the ECM. It is based on known experimental insights and theoretical work on the thermodynamics of porous media and degradation kinetics of collagen fibres on the one hand and a damage-like effect of the fibre dissolution on the mechanical integrity of the ECM on the other hand. The resulting system of partial differential equations is solved via the finite-element method. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first computational model including contemporaneously the coupling between (i) advection-diffusion-reaction processes, (ii) interstitial flow and deformation of a porous medium, and (iii) the chemo-mechanical interaction impelled by the dissolution of the ECM. Our numerical examples show good agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, we outline the capability of the methodology to extend existing numerical approaches towards a more comprehensive model for cellular biochemo-mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-T Vuong
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - A D Rauch
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - W A Wall
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
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27
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Giverso C, Ciarletta P. On the morphological stability of multicellular tumour spheroids growing in porous media. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2016; 39:92. [PMID: 27726037 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2016-16092-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTSs) are extensively used as in vitro system models for investigating the avascular growth phase of solid tumours. In this work, we propose a continuous growth model of heterogeneous MCTSs within a porous material, taking into account a diffusing nutrient from the surrounding material directing both the proliferation rate and the mobility of tumour cells. At the time scale of interest, the MCTS behaves as an incompressible viscous fluid expanding inside a porous medium. The cell motion and proliferation rate are modelled using a non-convective chemotactic mass flux, driving the cell expansion in the direction of the external nutrients' source. At the early stages, the growth dynamics is derived by solving the quasi-stationary problem, obtaining an initial exponential growth followed by an almost linear regime, in accordance with experimental observations. We also perform a linear-stability analysis of the quasi-static solution in order to investigate the morphological stability of the radially symmetric growth pattern. We show that mechano-biological cues, as well as geometric effects related to the size of the MCTS subdomains with respect to the diffusion length of the nutrient, can drive a morphological transition to fingered structures, thus triggering the formation of complex shapes that might promote tumour invasiveness. The results also point out the formation of a retrograde flow in the MCTS close to the regions where protrusions form, that could describe the initial dynamics of metastasis detachment from the in vivo tumour mass. In conclusion, the results of the proposed model demonstrate that the integration of mathematical tools in biological research could be crucial for better understanding the tumour's ability to invade its host environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Giverso
- Dipartimento di Matematica, MOX, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32 - 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Pasquale Ciarletta
- Dipartimento di Matematica, MOX, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32 - 20133, Milano, Italy.
- UMR 7190, Institut Jean le Rond d'Alembert, CNRS and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 4 place Jussieu case 162, 75005, Paris, France.
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Jeanquartier F, Jean-Quartier C, Cemernek D, Holzinger A. In silico modeling for tumor growth visualization. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2016; 10:59. [PMID: 27503052 PMCID: PMC4977902 DOI: 10.1186/s12918-016-0318-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is a complex disease. Fundamental cellular based studies as well as modeling provides insight into cancer biology and strategies to treatment of the disease. In silico models complement in vivo models. Research on tumor growth involves a plethora of models each emphasizing isolated aspects of benign and malignant neoplasms. Biologists and clinical scientists are often overwhelmed by the mathematical background knowledge necessary to grasp and to apply a model to their own research. RESULTS We aim to provide a comprehensive and expandable simulation tool to visualizing tumor growth. This novel Web-based application offers the advantage of a user-friendly graphical interface with several manipulable input variables to correlate different aspects of tumor growth. By refining model parameters we highlight the significance of heterogeneous intercellular interactions on tumor progression. Within this paper we present the implementation of the Cellular Potts Model graphically presented through Cytoscape.js within a Web application. The tool is available under the MIT license at https://github.com/davcem/cpm-cytoscape and http://styx.cgv.tugraz.at:8080/cpm-cytoscape/ . CONCLUSION In-silico methods overcome the lack of wet experimental possibilities and as dry method succeed in terms of reduction, refinement and replacement of animal experimentation, also known as the 3R principles. Our visualization approach to simulation allows for more flexible usage and easy extension to facilitate understanding and gain novel insight. We believe that biomedical research in general and research on tumor growth in particular will benefit from the systems biology perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur Jeanquartier
- Holzinger Group, Research Unit HCI-KDD, Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/V, 8036, AT, Graz, Austria
| | - Claire Jean-Quartier
- Holzinger Group, Research Unit HCI-KDD, Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/V, 8036, AT, Graz, Austria
| | - David Cemernek
- Holzinger Group, Research Unit HCI-KDD, Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/V, 8036, AT, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Holzinger
- Holzinger Group, Research Unit HCI-KDD, Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/V, 8036, AT, Graz, Austria. .,Institute of Information Systems and Computer Media, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 16c, Graz, 8010, AT, Austria.
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Ascione F, Vasaturo A, Caserta S, D'Esposito V, Formisano P, Guido S. Comparison between fibroblast wound healing and cell random migration assays in vitro. Exp Cell Res 2016; 347:123-132. [PMID: 27475838 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cell migration plays a key role in many biological processes, including cancer growth and invasion, embryogenesis, angiogenesis, inflammatory response, and tissue repair. In this work, we compare two well-established experimental approaches for the investigation of cell motility in vitro: the cell random migration (CRM) and the wound healing (WH) assay. In the former, extensive tracking of individual live cells trajectories by time-lapse microscopy and elaborate data processing are used to calculate two intrinsic motility parameters of the cell population under investigation, i.e. the diffusion coefficient and the persistence time. In the WH assay, a scratch is made in a confluent cell monolayer and the closure time of the exposed area is taken as an easy-to-measure, empirical estimate of cell migration. To compare WH and CRM we applied the two assays to investigate the motility of skin fibroblasts isolated from wild type and transgenic mice (TgPED) overexpressing the protein PED/PEA-15, which is highly expressed in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our main result is that the cell motility parameters derived from CRM can be also estimated from a time-resolved analysis of the WH assay, thus showing that the latter is also amenable to a quantitative analysis for the characterization of cell migration. To our knowledge this is the first quantitative comparison of these two widely used techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Ascione
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), Università di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Vasaturo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), Università di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sergio Caserta
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), Università di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), UdR INSTM Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Vittoria D'Esposito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali (DISMET), Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali (DISMET), Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy; Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del CNR, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefano Guido
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), Università di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), UdR INSTM Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy
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Milanese E, Yılmaz O, Molinari JF, Schrefler B. Avalanches in dry and saturated disordered media at fracture. Phys Rev E 2016; 93:043002. [PMID: 27176380 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.93.043002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
This paper analyzes fracturing in inhomogeneous media under dry and fully saturated conditions. We adopt a central force model with continuous damage to study avalanche behavior in a two-dimensional truss lattice undergoing dilation. Multiple fractures can develop at once and a power-law distribution of the avalanche size is observed. The values for the power-law exponent are compared with the ones found in the literature and scale-free behavior is suggested. The fracture evolves intermittently in time because only some avalanches correspond to fracture advancement. A fully saturated model with continuous damage based on the extended Biot's theory is developed and avalanche behavior is studied in the presence of fluid, varying the fluid boundary conditions. We show that power-law behavior is destroyed when the fluid flux governs the problem. Fluid pressure behavior during intermittent crack tip advancement is studied for the continuous-damage fully saturated model. It is found that when mechanical loading prevails, the pressure rises when the crack advances, while when fluid loading prevails, the pressure drops when the crack advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Milanese
- Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department, Università degli Studi di Padova (UniPD), Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Okan Yılmaz
- Civil Engineering Institute, Materials Science and Engineering Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 18, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-François Molinari
- Civil Engineering Institute, Materials Science and Engineering Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 18, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Schrefler
- Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department, Università degli Studi di Padova (UniPD), Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Predicting the growth of glioblastoma multiforme spheroids using a multiphase porous media model. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2016; 15:1215-28. [PMID: 26746883 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-015-0755-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumor spheroids constitute an effective in vitro tool to investigate the avascular stage of tumor growth. These three-dimensional cell aggregates reproduce the nutrient and proliferation gradients found in the early stages of cancer and can be grown with a strict control of their environmental conditions. In the last years, new experimental techniques have been developed to determine the effect of mechanical stress on the growth of tumor spheroids. These studies report a reduction in cell proliferation as a function of increasingly applied stress on the surface of the spheroids. This work presents a specialization for tumor spheroid growth of a previous more general multiphase model. The equations of the model are derived in the framework of porous media theory, and constitutive relations for the mass transfer terms and the stress are formulated on the basis of experimental observations. A set of experiments is performed, investigating the growth of U-87MG spheroids both freely growing in the culture medium and subjected to an external mechanical pressure induced by a Dextran solution. The growth curves of the model are compared to the experimental data, with good agreement for both the experimental settings. A new mathematical law regulating the inhibitory effect of mechanical compression on cancer cell proliferation is presented at the end of the paper. This new law is validated against experimental data and provides better results compared to other expressions in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene J Koay
- Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Blvd., Houston TX 77030, USA
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