Dynamical systems properties of a mathematical model for the treatment of CML

Abstract

A mathematical model for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) through a combination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunomodulatory therapies is analyzed as a dynamical system for the case of constant drug concentrations. Equilibria and their stability are determined and it is shown that, depending on the parameter values, the model exhibits a variety of behaviors which resemble the chronic, accelerated and blast phases typical of the disease. This work provides qualitative insights into the system which should be useful for understanding the interaction between CML and the therapies considered here.