This book focuses on the analysis of cancer dynamics and the
mathematically based synthesis of anticancer therapy. It summarizes the
current state-of-the-art in this field and clarifies common
misconceptions about mathematical modeling in cancer. Additionally, it
encourages closer cooperation between engineers, physicians and
mathematicians by showing the clear benefits of this without stating
unrealistic goals. Development of therapy protocols is realized from an
engineering point of view, such as the search for a solution to a
specific control-optimization problem. Since in the case of cancer
patients, consecutive measurements providing information about the
current state of the disease are not available, the control laws are
derived for an open loop structure. Different forms of therapy are
incorporated into the models, from chemotherapy and antiangiogenic
therapy to immunotherapy and gene therapy, but the class of models
introduced is broad enough to incorporate other forms of therapy as
well.
The book begins with an analysis of cell cycle control, moving on to
control effects on cell population and structured models and finally the
signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis and their influence on
therapy outcome. It also discusses the incorporation of intracellular
processes using signaling pathway models, since the successful treatment
of cancer based on analysis of intracellular processes, might soon be a
reality. It brings together various aspects of modeling anticancer
therapies, which until now have been distributed over a wide range of
literature. Written for researchers and graduate students interested in
the use of mathematical and engineering tools in biomedicine with
special emphasis on applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment, this
self-contained book can be easily understood with only a minimal basic
knowledge of control and system engineering methods as well as the
biology of cancer. Its interdisciplinary character and the authors'
extensive experience in cooperating with clinicians and biologists make
it interesting reading for researchers from control and system
engineering looking for applications of their knowledge. Systems and
molecular biologists as well as clinicians will also find new
inspiration for their research.
