Speaker
Description
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant diffusive brain tumor with a poor prognosis and a low survival rate despite conventional cancer treatments. In this research, we aim to estimate the time to relapse for the proliferation of marginal cells after resection at the tumor edge until they reach the maximum density detection threshold of MR images. We also considered the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) by considering their polarization to see how they influence tumor growth. Monocyte-derived TAMs are predominant in cases of recurrent tumor growth. They can not only affect the speed of tumor growth after resection but they could be also considered potential targets for immunotherapy. We developed a temporal model, to first investigate TAMs and tumor cell interaction and then use it as an index to estimate the probability of relapse for each patient. The model-based predictions of time to relapse will be then compared to the clinical follow-up of patients. The results of this study can be then used for medical decision-making and optimizing the timing of second-line treatment interventions.
