Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

12:19
Co-Culture In Vitro Systems to Reproduce the Cancer-Immunity Cycle
Published on: June 7, 2024
A mathematical model for cell cycle-specific cancer virotherapy.
Joseph J Crivelli1, Juraj Földes, Peter S Kim
1Department of Mathematics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA. joseph.j.crivelli@vanderbilt.edu
Journal of Biological Dynamics
|August 10, 2012
Summary
Oncolytic viruses like vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) show promise against cancer. This study models VSV
Area of Science:
- Virology and Mathematical Oncology
- Cancer Therapeutics Research
Background:
- Oncolytic viruses selectively target and destroy cancer cells.
- Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a potent cytolytic agent but struggles against quiescent tumor cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cell cycle-specific activity of oncolytic viruses, particularly VSV.
- To model the interplay between cell cycle timing and VSV efficacy in cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Development of a mathematical model for cell cycle-specific virus therapeutics.
- Incorporation of time delays representing minimum cell cycle phase durations.
- Analysis and simulation of differential equations to study viral dynamics.
Main Results:
- The model demonstrates how minimum cycling time influences therapeutic outcomes.
- Viral dynamics parameters significantly affect the stability of the cancer-free state.
- VSV's effectiveness is linked to tumor cell cycle progression.
Conclusions:
- Mathematical modeling provides insights into optimizing oncolytic virus therapy.
- Understanding cell cycle dynamics is crucial for enhancing VSV's anti-cancer potential.
- Therapeutic success depends on balancing viral replication and host cell cycle status.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
What is the Cell Cycle?
The cell cycle refers to the sequence of events occurring throughout a typical cell’s life. In eukaryotic cells, the somatic cell cycle has two stages: the interphase and the mitotic phase. During interphase, the cell grows, performs its basic metabolic functions, copies its DNA, and prepares for mitotic cell division. Then, during mitosis and cytokinesis, the cell divides its nuclear and cytoplasmic materials, respectively. This generates two daughter cells that are identical to the original...
What is the Cell Cycle?
The cell cycle refers to the sequence of events occurring throughout a typical cell’s life. In eukaryotic cells, the somatic cell cycle has two stages: interphase and the mitotic phase. During interphase, the cell grows, performs its basic metabolic functions, copies its DNA, and prepares for mitotic cell division. Then, during mitosis and cytokinesis, the cell divides its nuclear and cytoplasmic materials, respectively. This generates two daughter cells that are identical to the original...
Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
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...
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...
Cancer
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.

