Tumor ablation due to inhomogeneous anisotropic diffusion in generic three-dimensional topologies

Authors

Erdi Kara, Texas Tech University
Aminur Rahman, University of WashingtonFollow
Eugenio Aulisa, Texas Tech University
Souparno Ghosh, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.102.062425

Comments

PHYSICAL REVIEW E 102, 062425 (2020) ©2020 American Physical Society

Abstract

In recent decades computer-aided technologies have become prevalent in medicine, however, cancer drugs are often only tested on in vitro cell lines from biopsies. We derive a full three-dimensional model of inhomogeneous -anisotropic diffusion in a tumor region coupled to a binary population model, which simulates in vivo scenarios faster than traditional cell-line tests. The diffusion tensors are acquired using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging from a patient diagnosed with glioblastoma multiform. Then we numerically simulate the full model with finite element methods and produce drug concentration heat maps, apoptosis hotspots, and dose-response curves. Finally, predictions are made about optimal injection locations and volumes, which are presented in a form that can be employed by doctors and oncologists.