title: In silico modeling for tumor growth visualization.
abstract: Cancer is a complex disease. Fundamental cellular based studies as well as modeling provides insight into cancer biology and strategies to treatment of the disease. In silico models complement in vivo models. Research on tumor growth involves a plethora of models each emphasizing isolated aspects of benign and malignant neoplasms. Biologists and clinical scientists are often overwhelmed by the mathematical background knowledge necessary to grasp and to apply a model to their own research.
  
  
  
  We aim to provide a comprehensive and expandable simulation tool to visualizing tumor growth. This novel Web-based application offers the advantage of a user-friendly graphical interface with several manipulable input variables to correlate different aspects of tumor growth. By refining model parameters we highlight the significance of heterogeneous intercellular interactions on tumor progression. Within this paper we present the implementation of the Cellular Potts Model graphically presented through Cytoscape.js within a Web application. The tool is available under the MIT license at https://github.com/davcem/cpm-cytoscape and http://styx.cgv.tugraz.at:8080/cpm-cytoscape/ .
  
  
  
  In-silico methods overcome the lack of wet experimental possibilities and as dry method succeed in terms of reduction, refinement and replacement of animal experimentation, also known as the 3R principles. Our visualization approach to simulation allows for more flexible usage and easy extension to facilitate understanding and gain novel insight. We believe that biomedical research in general and research on tumor growth in particular will benefit from the systems biology perspective.
authors: Holzinger Group, Research Unit HCI-KDD, Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/V, 8036, AT, Graz, Austria.
authors: Fleur
authors: F
authors: Jeanquartier
authors: Holzinger Group, Research Unit HCI-KDD, Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/V, 8036, AT, Graz, Austria.
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Jean-Quartier
authors: Holzinger Group, Research Unit HCI-KDD, Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/V, 8036, AT, Graz, Austria.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Cemernek
authors: Holzinger Group, Research Unit HCI-KDD, Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/V, 8036, AT, Graz, Austria. a.holzinger@hci-kdd.org.|Institute of Information Systems and Computer Media, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 16c, Graz, 8010, AT, Austria. a.holzinger@hci-kdd.org.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Holzinger
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020407:Internet; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: Cancer; Cell proliferation; Cellular Potts model; Computational biology; Glazier and Graner model; In silico; In silico medicine; Tumor growth; Visual analysis; Visualization