A hybrid PDE-ABM model for angiogenesis and tumour microenvironment with application to resistance in cancer treatment

TL;DR

This paper introduces a hybrid PDE-ABM model to simulate tumour angiogenesis and microenvironment dynamics, elucidating mechanisms behind drug resistance development in cancer, especially NSCLC, and explaining conflicting experimental observations.

Contribution

The study develops a novel hybrid PDE-ABM model to analyze tumour microenvironment and resistance, providing new insights into angiogenesis and mutation effects in cancer treatment.

Findings

Angiogenic networks support tumour survival and resistance.

Spontaneous mutations confer survival advantages with earlier occurrence.

High proliferation correlates with increased resistance.

Abstract

The main obstacle to effective cancer treatment is the development of drug resistance, which can be divided into two categories: spontaneous and acquired drug resistance. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the main cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. A subset of lung cancer, adenocarcinomas, is characterised by mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Treatment of EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinomas has become less effective over time due to drug resistance development, which is associated with a second mutation in the EGFR gene. An important factor in the development of cancer is angiogenesis, which is the formation of blood vessels from the existing vasculature. These newly formed blood vessels provide oxygen and nutrients to tumour cells to maintain tumour growth and proliferation. We applied a hybrid discrete-continuous (HDC) model to capture the dynamic vasculature in the tumour microenvironment (TME). In the case of pre-existing resistance, the formation of angiogenic networks creates a microenvironment that supports tumour survival and enhances drug resistance. In the case of spontaneous mutation-induced resistance, earlier and more frequent mutations confer a greater survival advantage to the tumour population. There is also a mutually reinforcing relationship between a high proliferation rate and high resistance characteristics. These findings explain two conflicting experimental results about the second mutation in NSCLC.