Modelling mass and heat transfer in nano-based cancer hyperthermia

Abstract

Department of Mechanical Engineering andMaterials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA 2 Department of Translational Imaging, HoustonMethodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA 3 Modeling and Scientific Computing (MOX), Department of Mathematics, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy PZ,0000-0002-2470-0189 We derive a sophisticated mathematical model for coupled heat and mass transport in the tumour microenvironment and we apply it to study nanoparticle delivery and hyperthermic treatment of cancer. The model has the unique ability of combining the following features: (i) realistic vasculature (ii) coupled capillary and interstitial flow (iii) coupled capillary and interstitial mass transfer applied to nanoparticles and (iv) coupled capillary and interstitial heat transfer, which are the fundamental mechanisms governing nano-based hyperthermic treatment.