title: Modelling mass and heat transfer in nano-based cancer hyperthermia.
abstract: We derive a sophisticated mathematical model for coupled heat and mass transport in the tumour microenvironment and we apply it to study nanoparticle delivery and hyperthermic treatment of cancer. The model has the unique ability of combining the following features: (i) realistic vasculature; (ii) coupled capillary and interstitial flow; (iii) coupled capillary and interstitial mass transfer applied to nanoparticles; and (iv) coupled capillary and interstitial heat transfer, which are the fundamental mechanisms governing nano-based hyperthermic treatment. This is an improvement with respect to previous modelling approaches, where the effect of blood perfusion on heat transfer is modelled in a spatially averaged form. We analyse the time evolution and the spatial distribution of particles and temperature in a tumour mass treated with superparamagnetic nanoparticles excited by an alternating magnetic field. By means of numerical experiments, we synthesize scaling laws that illustrate how nano-based hyperthermia depends on tumour size and vascularity. In particular, we identify two distinct mechanisms that regulate the distribution of particle and temperature, which are characterized by perfusion and diffusion, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nabil
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Imaging , Houston Methodist Research Institute , Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Decuzzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Modeling and Scientific Computing (MOX), Department of Mathematics , Politecnico di Milano , Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zunino
keywords: computer simulation; mass and heat transfer; microcirculation; nano-based cancer hyperthermia