title: A coupled discrete/continuum model for describing cancer-therapeutic transport in the lung.
abstract: We propose a computational simulation framework for describing cancer-therapeutic transport in the lung. A discrete vascular graph model (VGM) is coupled to a double-continuum model (DCM) to determine the amount of administered therapeutic agent that will reach the cancer cells. An alveolar cell carcinoma is considered. The processes in the bigger blood vessels (arteries, arterioles, venules and veins) are described by the VGM. The processes in the alveolar capillaries and the surrounding tissue are represented by a continuum approach for porous media. The system of equations of the coupled discrete/continuum model contains terms that account for degradation processes of the therapeutic agent, the reduction of the number of drug molecules by the lymphatic system and the interaction of the drug with the tissue cells. The functionality of the coupled discrete/continuum model is demonstrated in example simulations using simplified pulmonary vascular networks, which are designed to show-off the capabilities of the model rather than being physiologically accurate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hydromechanics and Modeling of Hydrosystems, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. karin.erbertseder@iws.uni-stuttgart.de
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Erbertseder
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reichold
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flemisch
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jenny
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Helmig
mesh_terms: D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents