Applied Maths Seminar: Kim -- Mathematical modeling of glioblastoma dynamics and development of anti-cancer therapy

Yangjin Kim (Konkuk University) will be visiting us next week, and will give an informal
talk on Wednesday at 11am in the AGR (note unusual time and location).  All welcome.  

Title: Mathematical modeling of glioblastoma dynamics and development of anti-cancer
therapy 

Abstract: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer with
the very poor survival and high recurrence rate.  Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs)
play a pivotal role in regulation of the tumor microenvironment.  In this study, we
developed a new multi-scale model of the critical GBM-TAN interaction in the
heterogeneous brain tissue.  The model reveals that the dual and complex role of TANs
(either anti-tumorigenic N1 and the pro-tumorigenic N2 type) regulates the phenotypic
trajectory of the evolution of tumor growth and the invasive patterns in white and gray
matter via mediators such as IFN-beta and TGF-beta.  We investigated the effect of
normalizing the immune environment on glioma growth by applying a therapeutic antibody
and developed several strategies for eradication of tumor cells by neutrophil-mediated
transport of nanoparticles.  We also developed a strategy of combination therapy
(surgery + Trojan neutrophils) for effective control of the infiltration of the glioma
cells in one hemisphere before crossing the corpus callosum (CC) in order to prevent
recurrence in the other hemisphere.  This alternative approach compared to the extended
resection of the glioma including CC or butterfly GBM may provide the greater anti-tumor
efficacy and reduce side effects such as cognitive impairment.  We also studied the
asthma-mediated control of optic glioma growth.  Our results indicate that
asthma-induced T cell reprogramming inhibits tumor growth by promoting the release of
decorin and a subsequent suppression of CCR8 and the intercellular binding kinetics in
microglia followed by blocking of CCL5 production in TME via suppression of NFκB.  By
using the mathematical model, we tested several hypothesis in prevention of optic glioma
in athma patients.