A mathematical model for describing the metastasis of cancer in bone tissue.
Metastasis is the rapid proliferation of cancer cells (secondary tumour) at a specific place, generally leading to death. This occurs at anatomical parts providing the necessary environment for vascularity, oxygen and food to hide their actions and trigger the rapid growth of cancer. Prostate and breast cancers, for example, use bone marrow for their proliferation. Bone-supporting cancer cells thus adapt to the environment, mimicking the behaviour of genetic and molecular bone cells. Evidence of this has been given in Cecchini et al. (2005, EAU Update Ser. 3:214-226), providing arguments such as how cancer cell growth is so active during bone reabsorption. This paper simulates metastasis activation in bone marrow. A mathematical model has been developed involving the activation of molecules from bone tissue cells, which are necessary for cancer to proliferate. Here, we simulate two forms of secondary tumour growth depending on the type of metastasis: osteosclerosis and osteolysis.
Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, National University of Colombia, Cra 30 45-03 Ed. 407 of 103A, Bogotá, Colombia. dagarzona@bt.unal.edu.co
Diego Alexander
DA
Garzón-Alvarado
D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D019046:Bone Marrow Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000556:secondary; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000556:secondary*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D055641:Mathematical Concepts; D008954:Models, Biological; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010026:Osteosclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / Q000502:physiology; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D013002:Somatomedins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta