CMIC Seminar: Exploring the relationship between solid stress and tumour growth via multiscale biomechanical modelling

Speaker: Peter Wijeratne
UCL Contact: Dominique Drai (Visitors from outside UCL please email in advance).
Date/Time: 29 Apr 15, 13:00 - 14:00
Venue: Roberts G06

Abstract

It is well established that cancerous growth is dependent on both biochemical and biomechanical factors. Recently, remodelling of the collagen-rich extracellular matrix has been implicated in cancerous growth and progression. This process involves an interplay between cancerous growth and the physical stresses exerted on and generated by the tumour and its microenvironment. It is posed here that this remodelling results in changes in the intra- and extra-tumoural stiffness distribution. This hypothesis is explored using a multiscale biomechanical model of spheroidal tumour growth. The possibility of such effects being observed in clinical practice via imaging modalities such as shear wave elastography is also discussed.