Integration of Molecular Signaling into Multiscale Modeling of Cancer - Multiscale Computer Modeling in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering - page 374

Integration of Molecular Signaling
into Multiscale Modeling of Cancer

Zhihui Wang and Vittorio Cristini

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.

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

PLCc Phopholipase Cc

Z. Wang ( & ) V. Cristini
Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
e-mail: [e-mail]
V. Cristini
Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering,
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA