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Integration of Molecular Signaling into Multiscale Modeling of Cancer

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Multiscale Computer Modeling in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering

Part of the book series: Studies in Mechanobiology, Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials ((SMTEB,volume 14))

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Abstract

Multiscale modeling has now been well-accepted as a powerful tool to quantitatively represent, simulate, understand, and predict cancer progression and development across multiple biological scales. In this chapter, we focus on a specific type of multiscale cancer models where molecular signaling profiles are explicitly linked to the determination of cellular phenotypic changes. These models are particularly suitable for exploring the relationship between signaling dynamics within each individual cancer cell and the emergent cancer behavior on the multicellular level. We also discuss current challenges and future directions of this molecular signaling-incorporated multiscale cancer modeling approach.

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Abbreviations

ABM:

Agent-based model or agent-based modeling

EGF:

Epidermal growth factor

EGFR:

EGF receptor

EMT:

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition

ERK:

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase

NSCLC:

Non-small cell lung cancer

ODE:

Ordinary differential equation

PDE:

Partial differential equation

PLCγ:

Phopholipase Cγ

TGFβ:

Transforming growth factor β

2D:

Two-dimensional

3D:

Three-dimensional

TEM:

Transendothelial migration

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Acknowledgments

This work has been supported in part by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant CA 113004. VC acknowledges the NIH for support through 1U54CA143837, 1U54CA143907, and 1U54CA149196, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) for support under grant DMS-0818104.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA

    Zhihui Wang & Vittorio Cristini

  2. Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA

    Vittorio Cristini

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  1. Zhihui Wang
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  2. Vittorio Cristini
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Correspondence to Zhihui Wang .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tel Aviv University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel

    Amit Gefen

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Wang, Z., Cristini, V. (2013). Integration of Molecular Signaling into Multiscale Modeling of Cancer. In: Gefen, A. (eds) Multiscale Computer Modeling in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. Studies in Mechanobiology, Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials, vol 14. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/8415_2012_151

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/8415_2012_151

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