Intelligent modelling for benign tumour growth with cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and movement

Abstract

Tumours can be benign or malignant based upon their behavior, growth and invasion capability. Various mathematical models have been developed to capture different dynamics of tumours. Our aim was to model the growth dynamics of the benign tumour at cellular level with and without the extracellular matrix (ECM), cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and finally the movement of the cells. We developed an artificial Neural Network based intelligent model to demonstrate the tumour growth dynamics and cell movement and compression based upon its adhesion capabilities. In our model, we considered the heterogeneity in cell proliferation, death, degradation of the matrix and cell movement. We counted the total number of tumour cells at the end of every phase and presented it in the form of tumour growth curve. Then we compared the invasive distance tumour covered in these three phases. Finally, we compared the proposed growth curve model with the growth curve of DLD1 colorectal cancer cell line and achieved almost similar results. It is worth mentioning that the approach is new and so far there is no reported work of the similar form. © 2010 IEEE.