Towards Prostate Cancer Predictive in Silico Models – the early stages and vascular growth
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In this talk we will introduce different mathematical modelling strategies to explore the early stages of prostate cancer as well as the role of angiogenesis in modulating prostate cancer development in patients. Prostate cancer is the second most frequent cancer in men. The limited individualization of the clinical management beyond risk-group definition has led to significant overtreatment and undertreatment rates, which adversely impact the patients’ lives and life expectancy, respectively. Mathematical modelling and computer simulation allow to better understand the mechanisms behind disease progression. To explore the role of prostate structure in prostate cancer growth, two different mathematical models were developed. The first one, based on a cellular Potts model, simulates the interactions between the different types of cells present on the prostate and the deformation of the glands as the tumor grows. It models how cells and glands rearrange locally during the early moments of tumor development, and how the cribiform structure characteristic of advanced prostate carcinomas is formed. The second model is a phase-field model that considers prostate gland dynamics and nutrient consumption. This model is used to simulate tumor branching in the prostate and altered prostate duct morphology to Gleason Patterns. Finally, we explore the role of vascular growth in the surface roughness of the growing lesion at a macroscopic scale. This final predictive model introduces vascularisation related parameters that can be fit to patients imaging data and thus has to potential to provide an improved prediction for prostate cancer development.
