A mathematical model for describing the metastasis of cancer in bone tissue

Abstract

Metastasis is the rapid proliferation of cancer cells (secondary tumour) at a specific place, generally leading to death. This occurs at anatomical parts providing the necessary environment for vascularity, oxygen and food to hide their actions and trigger the rapid growth of cancer. Prostate and breast cancers, for example, use bone marrow for their proliferation. Bone-supporting cancer cells thus adapt to the environment, mimicking the behaviour of genetic and molecular bone cells. Evidence of this has been given in Cecchini et al. (2005, EAU Update Ser. 3:214–226), providing arguments such as how cancer cell growth is so active during bone reabsorption. This paper simulates metastasis activation in bone marrow. A mathematical model has been developed involving the activation of molecules from bone tissue cells, which are necessary for cancer to proliferate. Here, we simulate two forms of secondary tumour growth depending on the type of metastasis: osteosclerosis and osteolysis.

Keywords:

• cancer
• metastasis
• molecular mechanisms
• bone marrow

Acknowledgements

D.A. Garzón-Alvarado was funded by the División de Investigación de Bogotá (DIB, Universidad Nacional de Colombia) through the support to the project ‘Modeling and Simulation of Processes in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering: Second Phase’. DIB code 8008170.