Modeling of chemo-radiotherapy targeting growing vascular tumors: a continuum-level approach

Abstract

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the enhanced efficiency of combined therapeutic strategies for the treatment of growing tumors, based on computational experiments of a continuous-level modeling framework. In particular, the tumor growth is simulated within a contaminated tissue and treated as a multiphase fluid of high viscosity, with each cellular species considered as a distinct fluid phase. Our model integrates the impact of chemical species on tumor dynamics, and we model --through reaction-diffusion equations-- the spatio-temporal evolution of oxygen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chemotherapeutic agents. Simulations of a growing tumor exposed to external radiation showcase the rapid impact of radiotherapy on tumor suppression, however this effect diminishes over time. To enhance the therapeutic efficiency of radiotherapy, we investigate the combination of external radiation with the anti-VEGF drug bevacizumab and the cytotoxic drug docetaxel. Our simulations demonstrate that this synergistic approach integrates the immediate effectiveness of radiation therapy with the enduring tumor-suppressive capabilities of chemotherapy.