Modeling of chemo-radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors: A continuum-level approach.

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the enhanced efficiency of combined therapeutic strategies for the treatment of growing tumors, based on computational experiments of a continuous-level modeling framework. In particular, the tumor growth is simulated within a host tissue and treated as a mult...

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Main Authors: Ioannis Lampropoulos, Marina Koutsi, Michail E Kavousanakis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301657
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author Ioannis Lampropoulos
Marina Koutsi
Michail E Kavousanakis
author_facet Ioannis Lampropoulos
Marina Koutsi
Michail E Kavousanakis
author_sort Ioannis Lampropoulos
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study is to demonstrate the enhanced efficiency of combined therapeutic strategies for the treatment of growing tumors, based on computational experiments of a continuous-level modeling framework. In particular, the tumor growth is simulated within a host tissue and treated as a multiphase fluid, with each cellular species considered as a distinct fluid phase. Our model integrates the impact of chemical species on tumor dynamics, and we model -through reaction-diffusion equations- the spatio-temporal evolution of oxygen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chemotherapeutic agents. Simulations of a growing tumor exposed to external radiation showcase the rapid impact of radiotherapy on tumor suppression, however this effect diminishes over time. To enhance the therapeutic efficiency of radiotherapy, we investigate the combination of external radiation with the anti-VEGF drug bevacizumab and the cytotoxic drug docetaxel. Our simulations demonstrate that this synergistic approach integrates the immediate effectiveness of radiation therapy with the enduring tumor-suppressive capabilities of chemotherapy.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1932-6203
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record_format Article
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spelling doaj-art-8fdfc948ff6044b49b3d08901041aaae2025-02-05T05:31:25ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e030165710.1371/journal.pone.0301657Modeling of chemo-radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors: A continuum-level approach.Ioannis LampropoulosMarina KoutsiMichail E KavousanakisThe aim of this study is to demonstrate the enhanced efficiency of combined therapeutic strategies for the treatment of growing tumors, based on computational experiments of a continuous-level modeling framework. In particular, the tumor growth is simulated within a host tissue and treated as a multiphase fluid, with each cellular species considered as a distinct fluid phase. Our model integrates the impact of chemical species on tumor dynamics, and we model -through reaction-diffusion equations- the spatio-temporal evolution of oxygen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chemotherapeutic agents. Simulations of a growing tumor exposed to external radiation showcase the rapid impact of radiotherapy on tumor suppression, however this effect diminishes over time. To enhance the therapeutic efficiency of radiotherapy, we investigate the combination of external radiation with the anti-VEGF drug bevacizumab and the cytotoxic drug docetaxel. Our simulations demonstrate that this synergistic approach integrates the immediate effectiveness of radiation therapy with the enduring tumor-suppressive capabilities of chemotherapy.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301657
spellingShingle Ioannis Lampropoulos
Marina Koutsi
Michail E Kavousanakis
Modeling of chemo-radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors: A continuum-level approach.
PLoS ONE
title Modeling of chemo-radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors: A continuum-level approach.
title_full Modeling of chemo-radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors: A continuum-level approach.
title_fullStr Modeling of chemo-radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors: A continuum-level approach.
title_full_unstemmed Modeling of chemo-radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors: A continuum-level approach.
title_short Modeling of chemo-radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors: A continuum-level approach.
title_sort modeling of chemo radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors a continuum level approach
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301657
work_keys_str_mv AT ioannislampropoulos modelingofchemoradiotherapytargetinggrowingvasculartumorsacontinuumlevelapproach
AT marinakoutsi modelingofchemoradiotherapytargetinggrowingvasculartumorsacontinuumlevelapproach
AT michailekavousanakis modelingofchemoradiotherapytargetinggrowingvasculartumorsacontinuumlevelapproach