The Technologically Integrated Oncosimulator: Combining Multiscale Cancer Modeling with Information Technology in the In Silico Oncology Context

This paper outlines the major components and function of the Integrated Oncosimulator developed primarily within the ACGT project. The latter is an information technology system simulating in vivo tumor response to therapeutic modalities within the clinical trial context. It aims at supporting patient individualized optimization of cancer treatment. The spatiotemporal simulation module embedded in the Oncosimulator is based on the multiscale, predominantly top-down, discrete entity – discrete event cancer simulation technique developed by the In Silico Oncology Group. Chemotherapeutic treatment in the neoadjuvant setting, according to two real clinical trials concerning nephroblastoma and breast cancer, respectively, has been considered. The technology modules include multiscale data handling, image processing, invocation of code execution via a spreadsheet-inspired environment portal (RecipeSheet), execution of the code on the grid and visualization of the predictions. Parameter values have been adapted to multiscale clinical trial data in a consistent way, thus supporting the predictive potential of the Oncosimulator. Clinical adaptation and validation are in progress. Initial results have already been published. Completion of these time demanding phases is expected to pave the way for the clinical translation of the system. A refining scenario for the eventual coupling of the Oncosimulator with immunological models is also presented.