Mathematical Modeling and Analysis
Mathematical Modeling and Analysis
In this article, we describe a new cell-based model of tumor-induced angiogenesis. Our model is structured in terms of the dynamics occurring at the extracellular and intercellular levels. At the extracellular level, the model describes diffusion, uptake, and half-life decay of tumor-secreted pro-angiogenic factor (VEGF). At the cellular level, the model uses a discrete lattice Monte Carlo algorithm based on system-energy reduction to describe cell migration, growth, division, cellular adhesion, and the evolving structure of the tissue. This model provides a quantitative framework to test hypotheses on the biochemical and biomechanical mechanisms that cause tumor-induced angiogenesis.
