Miming the cancer-immune system competition by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations

J Chem Phys. 2016 Oct 21;145(15):154108. doi: 10.1063/1.4964778.

Abstract

In order to mimic the interactions between cancer and the immune system at cell scale, we propose a minimal model of cell interactions that is similar to a chemical mechanism including autocatalytic steps. The cells are supposed to bear a quantity called activity that may increase during the interactions. The fluctuations of cell activity are controlled by a so-called thermostat. We develop a kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm to simulate the cell interactions and thermalization of cell activity. The model is able to reproduce the well-known behavior of tumors treated by immunotherapy: the first apparent elimination of the tumor by the immune system is followed by a long equilibrium period and the final escape of cancer from immunosurveillance.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Cell Communication
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Humans
  • Immune System*
  • Kinetics
  • Monte Carlo Method*
  • Neoplasms*