Applied Math Seminar
Fall Quarter 2006
3:15 p.m.
Sloan Mathematics Corner
Building 380, Room 380-C


Friday, November 17, 2006

John Lowengrub
Mathematics, UC Irvine

Multiscale models of solid tumor growth and angiogenesis: Effect of the Microenvironment


Abstract:

We present and investigate models for solid tumor growth that incorporate features of the tumor microenvironment including tumor-induced angiogenesis. Using analysis and nonlinear simulations, we explore the effects of the interaction between the genetic characteristics of the tumor and the tumor microenvironment on the resulting tumor progression and morphology. We find that the qualitative behavior of the tumor morphologies is similar across a broad range of parameters that govern the tumor genetic characteristics. Our findings demonstrate the importance of the impact of microenvironment on tumor growth and morphology and are consistent with recent experiments. We discuss the implications for cancer therapy protocols.