Computer simulation applied to radiation therapy in cancer research

摘要

Previous studies have shown that systems analysis, control theory, and computer science can stimulate new approaches in the fight against cancer. These approaches have enabled researchers to interpret cancer as an unstable closed-loop control circuit, to study tumor growth, and to optimize tumor treatment. The aim of this paper is to discuss the use of mathematics in (1) modeling the growth of tumor spheroids; (2) simulating different clinical treatment schedules applied to irradiation of in vitro tumor spheroids; and (3) considering the side effects of radiation on rapidly proliferating normal tissue. A comparison of the simulation results with clinical experience demonstrates that the clinical reality can be qualitatively represented by the model. This method enables the number and length of time-consuming studies to be reduced prior to clinical therapy.