A multiscale approach to the migration of cancer stem cells: mathematical modelling and simulations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multiscale mathematical model for cancer cell invasion, integrating cellular transitions, growth factors, and extracellular matrix remodeling, with simulations to explore tumor progression and potential treatments.

Contribution

It presents a novel multiscale model combining cellular dynamics, growth factors, and matrix remodeling to better understand cancer invasion mechanisms.

Findings

Model captures epithelial-mesenchymal transition driven by growth factors.

Simulations suggest potential treatment strategies to reduce tumor aggressiveness.

Analysis aligns with existing literature on cancer invasion dynamics.

Abstract

We propose a multiscale model of the invasion of the extracellular matrix by two types of cancer cells, the differentiated cancer cells and the cancer stem cells. We assume that the epithelial mesenchymal-like transition between them is driven primarily by the epidermal growth factors. We moreover take into account the transidifferentiation program of the cancer stem cells and the cancer associated fibroblast cells as well as the fibroblast-driven remodelling of the extracellular matrix. The proposed haptotaxis model combines the macroscopic phenomenon of the invasion of the extracellular matrix with the microscopic dynamics of the epidermal growth factors. We analyse our model in a component-wise manner and compare our findings with the literature. We investigate pathological situations regarding the epidermal growth factors and accordingly propose "mathematical-treatment" scenarios to control the aggressiveness of the tumour.