Mathematical analysis of a generalised model of chemotherapy for low grade gliomas

Abstract

We study mathematical properties of a model describing growth of primary brain tumours called low-grade gliomas (LGGs) and their response to chemotherapy. The motivation for considering this particular type of cancer is its large impact on society. LGGs affect mainly young adults and eventually result in death, despite the tumour growth rate being slow. The model studied consists of two non-autonomous ordinary differential equations and is a generalised version of the model proposed by Bogda´ nska et al. (Math. Biosci. 2017). We discuss the stability of stationary states, prove global stability of tumour-free steady state and, in some cases, justify the existence of periodic solutions. Assuming that chemotherapy effectiveness remains constant in time, we provide analytical estimates and calculate minimal doses of the drug that should eliminate the tumour for particular patients with LGGs.