Abstract
In this paper we extend a previous 2D parallel implementation of a continuous-discrete model of tumour-induced angiogenesis. In particular, we examine the transport and capture of magnetic nanoparticles through a newly formed vascular network of blood vessels. We demonstrate how our models can be used to describe the dynamics of magnetic nanoparticles in a microvasculature and observe that the orientation of the blood vessels with respect to the magnetic force crucially affects particle capture rates leading to heterogeneous particle distributions. In addition, efficiency of magnetic particle capture depends on the ratio between the magnetic velocity and blood vessel aspect ratio. Such simulations allow a more detailed understanding of the use of magnetic nanoparticles as a mechanism for targeted anti-cancer drug delivery.
Highlights
In order to progress from the relatively harmless avascular phase to the potentially lethal vascular state, solid tumours must induce the growth of new blood vessels from existing ones, a process known as angiogenesis
This model mimics the injection of drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into a primary blood vessel close to the newly formed microvascular network which is subsequently transported towards the tumour using an applied magnetic field
Blood flow and particle capture results obtained from the network model are shown in Figure 13 for a typical five node simulated microvascular network based on the hybrid continuous-discrete model
Summary
In order to progress from the relatively harmless avascular phase to the potentially lethal vascular state, solid tumours must induce the growth of new blood vessels from existing ones, a process known as angiogenesis. Over the past few years in silico experiments focused on tumour growth have become more readily accepted by the biological community both as a means to direct new research and a route to integrate multiple experimental measurements in order to generate new hypotheses and testable predictions This recent shift has been partly driven by the emergence of new theoretical approaches, such as hybrid modelling [8]. Once the network of blood vessels supplying the tumour has been formed, a second model based on the principles of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is developed, and again, implemented in parallel This model mimics the injection of drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into a primary blood vessel close to the newly formed microvascular network which is subsequently transported towards the tumour using an applied magnetic field.
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