Angiogenesis and vessel co-option in a mathematical model of diffusive tumor growth: The role of chemotaxis

DOI: 
10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110526
Publication date: 
01/03/2021
Main author: 
Gandolfi A.
IAA authors: 
Franciscis, S. De
Authors: 
Gandolfi, A.;Franciscis, S. De;d'Onofrio, A.;Fasano, A.;Sinisgalli, C.
Journal: 
Journal of Theoretical Biology
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
512
Pages: 
110526
Number: 
110526
Abstract: 
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd This work considers the propagation of a tumor from the stage of a small avascular sphere in a host tissue and the progressive onset of a tumor neovasculature stimulated by a pro-angiogenic factor secreted by hypoxic cells. The way new vessels are formed involves cell sprouting from pre-existing vessels and following a trail via a chemotactic mechanism (CM). Namely, it is first proposed a detailed general family of models of the CM, based on a statistical mechanics approach. The key hypothesis is that the CM is composed by two components: i) the well–known bias induced by the angiogenic factor gradient; ii) the presence of stochastic changes of the velocity direction, thus giving rise to a diffusive component. Then, some further assumptions and simplifications are applied in order to derive a specific model to be used in the simulations. The tumor progression is favored by its acidic aggression towards the healthy cells. The model includes the evolution of many biological and chemical species. Numerical simulations show the onset of a traveling wave eventually replacing the host tissue with a fully vascularized tumor. The results of simulations agree with experimental measures of the vasculature density in tumors, even in the case of particularly hypoxic tumors.
Database: 
SCOPUS
ADS
URL: 
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/#abs/2021JThBi.51210526G/abstract
ADS Bibcode: 
2021JThBi.51210526G
Keywords: 
Angiogenesis | Chemotaxis | Fickian diffusion | Modeling vascularized tumor growth | Traveling waves | Tumor invasion