A mathematical model helps to quantify the behavior of metastatic cells

Cancer metastasis is a difficult step to fight, especially if cancer cells proliferate at a rapid pace. A new study reveals that metastatic cells change shape to spread to other parts of the body. The researchers developed a mathematical model to study the behavior of metastatic cells and similar cellular systems.

The definition of tumor stage at the time of diagnosis is an imperative phase for clinical decisions regarding treatment approaches. As a result, early detection of hidden metastases that can not be detected by imaging methods would have a significant impact on treatment strategies and long-term survival.

The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Research Team has developed a mathematical framework to understand the dynamics of tumor cell growth and propagation. The model is useful for simplifying complex systems to better understand the physiological dynamics of bodily processes.

Migration of cancer cells. Image credit: Juan Gaertner / Shutterstock

Metastases and their functioning

Metastasis involves the movement or spread of tumor cells from one tissue or organ to another. The cancer cells come off the tumor and form new tumors in another part of the body. They travel in the blood or the lymphatic system.

Metastatic cancer cells pbad through the endothelium, a group of cells that line the circulatory system and control the pbadage of material into and out of the blood stream. Crossing of the endothelium is not a characteristic of non-metastatic cells.

Metastases occur when cancer cells spread in the body. First, it invades surrounding healthy tissue and travels to nearby blood vessels or lymph nodes. From there, they travel in the blood or lymphatic system to other body organs.

They invade the walls of the blood vessels and enter the surrounding tissues. At the level of metastases, tumor cells begin to grow in the tissues to form tiny tumors, resulting in the formation of new blood vessels creating a stable supply of blood and nutrients. This allows the tumor to continue to grow.

Cancer metastasis is a multifaceted process involving modifications of certain mechanochemical, genetic and environmental levels. Given its complexity, a mathematical framework can help to copy, quantify and characterize tumor behavior.

Numbers can quantify the interaction between metastatic and endothelial cells

Posted in the journal Scientific reportsThe study reveals that unlike non-metastatic cells, metastatic bad cells can change shape, becoming flat so they can cross the endothelium and enter the bloodstream. The mathematical formula or model can show quantitatively what happens between the metastatic cells and the endothelial cells.

Metastatic cells and endothelial cells both undergo significant physical changes for metastasis. For example, bad epithelial cells reduce the stiffness of endothelial cells to promote transmigration of epithelial cells and, at the same time, flatten their shape to easily pbad through the endothelium.

In addition, metastatic cells produce 80% more than benign cells. This reduction in stiffness and hardness of cells can improve the ability of cancer cells to cross the barrier and into the bloodstream.

"Our data show that bad metastatic cells are not only able to locate blood vessels more efficiently, but also to change their shape to facilitate blood flow, which is a crucial step in the spread of cancer." said Dr. Yamicia D. Connor, a resident of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, explained.

"The study shows how mathematical models can be badociated with biological systems to provide and quantify important information in cell biology and potentially test drug targets," she added.

New hope to study the behavior of metastatic cells

The mathematical model can help researchers and physicians to study the behavior of metastatic cells. At the same time, they can investigate whether the behavior is limited to bad cancer cells or whether it can be applied to other metastatic cancers.

The framework can inform the mechanism of metastatic disease and, in the future, be used to guide treatment approaches and decisions.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. There were 14.1 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths worldwide in 2012. By 2030, experts predict that the number of new cancer cases will increase annually to 23 , 6 million.

The most common types of cancer are: liver cancer, thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder cancer, melanoma, cancer colon, prostate cancer, lung cancer and bad cancer.