Analyzing the birth-death model of Oncostreams in Glioma, and the effects of Cytochalasin D treatment

Abstract

This research project investigates the critical role of oncostreams in glioma aggressiveness, leveraging advanced ex-vivo 3D explants and in-vivo intravital imaging techniques to establish a direct correlation between oncostream density and cancer severity. The primary objective is to model the cell populations within oncostreams, with a specific focus on GFP+ NPA cells, to simulate cancer dynamics and provide insights into tumor behavior. The study employs a simple Birth-Death process to analyze cell population dynamics and treatment effects, building and solving Kolmogorov equations to predict changes in cell population over time. While the model could be expanded to include additional modulators such as morphological attributes and neurotransmitter exposure, the focus remains on cell population to maintain feasibility. The study also examines various treatment methods, finding that glutamate increases glioma cell movement while histamine reduces it. Collagenase treatment effectively dismantles oncostreams, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy. For this paper, we specifically are going to be looking at Cytochalasin D, which shows promise in disrupting oncostreams and reducing glioma invasiveness. By integrating these treatment variables into the model, the research aims to understand their impact on glioma cell density within the oncostreams and aggressiveness, thereby contributing to improved cancer management strategies. This comprehensive approach is expected to enhance our understanding of glioma progression and inform the development of effective therapeutic interventions.