An imaging-based computational model for simulating angiogenesis and tumour oxygenation dynamics

Tumour growth, angiogenesis and oxygenation vary substantially among tumours and significantly impact their treatment outcome. Imaging provides a unique means of investigating these tumour-specific characteristics. Here we propose a computational model to simulate tumour-specific oxygenation changes based on the molecular imaging data. Tumour oxygenation in the model is reflected by the perfused vessel density. Tumour growth depends on its doubling time (T_d) and the imaged proliferation. Perfused vessel density recruitment rate depends on the perfused vessel density around the tumour (sMVD_tissue) and the maximum VEGF concentration for complete vessel dysfunctionality (VEGF_max). The model parameters were benchmarked to reproduce the dynamics of tumour oxygenation over its entire lifecycle, which is the most challenging test. Tumour oxygenation dynamics were quantified using the peak p O₂ (p O_2peak) and the time to peak p O₂ (t _peak). Sensitivity of tumour oxygenation to model parameters was assessed by changing each parameter by 20%. t _peak was found to be more sensitive to tumour cell line related doubling time (∼30%) as compared to tissue vasculature density (∼10%). On the other hand, p O_2peak was found to be similarly influenced by the above tumour- and vasculature-associated parameters (∼30–40%). Interestingly, both p O_2peak and t _peak were only marginally affected by VEGF_max (∼5%). The development of a poorly oxygenated (hypoxic) core with tumour growth increased VEGF accumulation, thus disrupting the vessel perfusion as well as further increasing hypoxia with time. The model with its benchmarked parameters, is applied to hypoxia imaging data obtained using a [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-ATSM PET scan of a mouse tumour and the temporal development of the vasculature and hypoxia maps are shown. The work underscores the importance of using tumour-specific input for analysing tumour evolution. An extended model incorporating therapeutic effects can serve as a powerful tool for analysing tumour response to anti-angiogenic therapies. (paper)