Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
08:04
Evaluation of Nanoparticle Uptake in Tumors in Real Time Using Intravital Imaging
Published on: June 21, 2011
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From Blood Flow to Tumor Cell Internalization: A Multistage Computational Model of Nanoparticle Dynamics
Álvaro González-Garcinuño1,2, Eva Martin Del Valle3,4, Sasa Kenjeres5
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Salamanca, Plaza Los Caídos s/n, 37008, Salamanca, Spain. alvaro_gonzalez@usal.es.
Pharmaceutical Research
|January 16, 2026
Summary
This study developed a computational model for nanoparticle transport from injection to tumor cell uptake. Functionalized nanoparticles with ligand-receptor interactions improved tumor targeting by 50%.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Computational Modeling
Background:
- Nanoparticle (NP) transport and tumor tissue distribution are vital for nanomedicine.
- Existing research lacks a comprehensive model of the entire NP journey to target cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a computational framework simulating NP transport from administration to tumor cell internalization.
- To investigate factors influencing NP biodistribution and tumor targeting.
Main Methods:
- A COMSOL Multiphysics framework modeled NP movement in blood flow, trans-endothelial transport, and tumor stroma motion.
- Ligand-receptor interactions and physiological tumor porosity were incorporated.
- Case studies analyzed the effects of particle density, injection velocity, and size.
Main Results:
- The model successfully simulated all stages of NP transport.
- It is the first model to include nanoparticle affinity for targeted delivery via ligand-receptor interactions.
- Low Stokes number is crucial for capillary network penetration; ligand functionalization improved targeting by ~50%.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive computational model for NP distribution, including cellular recognition, was developed.
- This model advances understanding of nanoparticle behavior for targeted cancer therapy.
