NIMBioS Investigative Workshop
Solid Tumor Modeling
Topic: Future Directions in Biophysically Accurate, Fully Three-Dimensional Solid Tumor Modeling: Biological, Computational and Clinical Challenges
Meeting dates: January 19-21, 2011
Organizers:
Vittorio Cristini (Univ. of Texas, School of Information and Health Sciences, Houston)
John Lowengrub (Mathematics Dept., Univ. of California, Irvine)
Kasia Rejniak (Moffitt Cancer Center, Integrated Mathematical Oncology)
Steven M. Wise (Mathematics Dept., Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville)
| Agenda (PDF) | Participants | Evaluation report (PDF) |
Objectives: The principal aim of this Investigative Workshop was to discuss current achievements and challenges in modeling solid tumors in the human body, and to identify areas in modeling, computing, laboratory experimentation, and clinical diagnosis that should be pursued to improve our understanding of tumor development and ultimately treatment. The focus was on modeling tumor level cancer progression. However, all pertinent systems that influence such growth were open for discussion and analysis, including ongoing genetic mutation and genetic feedback, stem cells, angiogenesis and vascular dynamics, lymph system interaction, metastasis, mechanical properties of and interaction with host tissue, and immune system response. Specifically, the goals were to identify the relative advantages of certain models (or modeling principles) in specific host tissue environments; the current state-of-the-art in modeling, from the points of view of biophysical relevance, mathematical suitability, and computational and technical advances; the perceived future directions and important challenges in next-generation tumor models; and the near-term feasibility of modeling in a clinical, patient-specific setting. Topics of discussion included hybrid and multi-scale modeling, multiphase modeling, parameter estimation and relevant experimental and clinical data collection, and high-performance computing and visualization.
A Virtual Poster Session was held in conjunction with this workshop.
This session allowed participants to share their research with workshop attendees and with those visiting the workshop web site.
Posters were submitted by participants of the workshop as well as by others doing research in the area of tumor modeling. The virtual poster session was designed to allow participation by a larger group than we were able to accommodate in our physical space and to facilitate communication among those working in this important field.
Posters are displayed online at this site.
Summary Report.
With continuing improvements in both computational technology and imaging techniques,
mathematical cancer modeling is converging on true quantitative integration of laboratory
experiments and clinical data with simulations. The NIMBioS Investigative Workshop Solid
Tumor Modeling: Biological, Computational and Clinical Challenges brought together a
diverse group of researchers, including mathematical and computational modelers,
bioengineers, cancer biologists and clinicians, with the purpose to evaluate the current state of-
the-art in integrative tumor modeling, identify required biological and clinical parameters,
and determine how to translate the modeling results in order to further improve cancer
prevention and treatment. Several experts in the field of cancer biology and cancer modeling
made 30-minute presentations. These were followed by group discussion sessions. Certain
consensus recommendations were made as a result of the discussions. These include
identifying the needs of the community at large, such as quantitative data and image
repositories; model sharing platforms; and standardization of clinical, biological and modeling
vocabularies. Future directions were identified in which computational modeling could
contribute to cancer research, including understanding tumor development in the
context of normal biology and tissue homeostasis, investigating plasticity and evolution of
stem cells and/or cancer stem cells, and exploring multi-dimensional complexity of the tumor
microenvironment.
NIMBioS Investigative Workshops focus on broad topics or a set of related topics, summarizing/synthesizing the state of the art and identifying future directions. Organizers and key invited researchers make up half the 30-40 participants in a workshop, and the remaining 15-20 participants are filled through open application from the scientific community. Open applicants selected to attend are notified by NIMBioS within two weeks of the application deadline. Investigative Workshops have the potential for leading to one or more future Working Groups. Individuals with a strong interest in the topic, including post-docs and graduate students, are encouraged to apply. If needed, NIMBioS can provide support (travel, meals, lodging) for Workshop attendees.
