Mathematical modeling of the neutrophil production process supported by administration of glycoprotein

Abstract

Drugs administered in chemotherapy influence the patient's hematopoietic system. The side effects of chemotherapy can force changes in both the dose of drugs and the schedule of their administration, which in turn may adversely affect the patient's health. During chemotherapy treatment, there is a necessity to continuously monitor basic blood parameters, including the number of neutrophils and blood platelets, responsible for the patient's immunity. The aim of this paper is to study the behavior of the hematopoietic system, during chemotherapy, by means of a modified mathematical model of neutrophil production. We conducted simulations for children from 1–15 years old, suffering from neuroblastoma, who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment with Topotecan (TPT). The proposed model provides an effective tool for signaling the moment when the number of mature neutrophils, circulating in the blood, drops below the critical level, that is, 500cells/μL. Such a nadir persisting over time may result in severe neutropenia and consequently require a halt or change to the established treatment schedule. In addition, we analyzed the process of neutrophil production during chemotherapy, supported by the application of glycoprotein as a growth factor of stem cells.