Multiscale cancer modeling

Annu Rev Biomed Eng. 2011 Aug 15:13:127-55. doi: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-071910-124729.

Abstract

Simulating cancer behavior across multiple biological scales in space and time, i.e., multiscale cancer modeling, is increasingly being recognized as a powerful tool to refine hypotheses, focus experiments, and enable more accurate predictions. A growing number of examples illustrate the value of this approach in providing quantitative insights in the initiation, progression, and treatment of cancer. In this review, we introduce the most recent and important multiscale cancer modeling works that have successfully established a mechanistic link between different biological scales. Biophysical, biochemical, and biomechanical factors are considered in these models. We also discuss innovative, cutting-edge modeling methods that are moving predictive multiscale cancer modeling toward clinical application. Furthermore, because the development of multiscale cancer models requires a new level of collaboration among scientists from a variety of fields such as biology, medicine, physics, mathematics, engineering, and computer science, an innovative Web-based infrastructure is needed to support this growing community.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computational Biology
  • Computer Simulation
  • Disease Progression
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Precision Medicine / trends
  • Systems Biology*

Substances

  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors