Effect of anti-CD147 drug on Tumor Angiogenesis using Nano-Based Drug Delivery – A Mathematical Model

Tumor angiogenesis is the development of new vasculature from existing vasculature. Most tumors rely on angiogenesis for their growth. There are many important factors that assist during the process of angiogenesis in a tumor like Tumor Angiogenesis Factors (TAFs), Matrix Metallo Proteinases (MMPs), fibronectin etc. These factors are responsible for the migration of Endothelial Cells (ECs) from the parent blood vessel to the tumor. Extracellular Matrix Metallo Proteinases Inducer / Cluster of Differentiation 147 (EMMPRIN / CD147), a transmembrane glycoprotein, advances the speed of tumor angiogenesis by increasing the TAF and MMP concentrations. An anti-CD147 drug which is encapsulated in a nanoparticle is applied to prevent or delay the completion of angiogenesis. The mathematical formulation consists of partial differential equations (PDEs), incorporating the concentration equations of ECs, TAFs, fibronectin, MMPs, CD147, anti-CD147 drug, tumor cells and nanoparticle. The encapsulation of the drug in the nanoparticle ensures that the drug is delivered to the site of interest. Further, release of the drug from the nanoparticle and its impact are modeled. The simulations are performed in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 software. The results show that having a high concentration of the drug in the delivery site, through a controlled release, is more effective than single administration of the drug.