Optimal control for a stochastic model of cancer chemotherapy
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2026

Modeling Chemotherapy Resistant Leukemia In Vitro
Published on: February 9, 2016
1BC Cancer Agency, 600 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4E6.
Abstract:
Chemotherapy is useful in a number of cancers to reduce or eliminate residual disease. When used in this way the objective is to maximise the likelihood that the cancer will be eliminated. In this article, we extend a stochastic model of chemotherapy for cancer to incorporate its concomitant effect on the normal system and derive overall measures of outcome. The model includes the development of drug resistance and is sufficiently flexible to include a variety of tumour and normal system growth functions. The model is then applied to situations previously examined in the literature and it is shown that early intensification is a common feature of successful regimens in situations where drug resistance is likely. The model is also applied to data collected from clinical trials analysing the effect of adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-flourouracil (CMF) therapy in the treatment of operable breast cancer. The model is able to mimic the data and provides a description of the optimal regimen.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Steady-State, Minimum and Maximum Concentrations
Impact of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Models: Regulatory Decisions
Cancer Survival Analysis

