A mathematical model for a comprehensive approach to the dynamics of human colo...

• Author(s): Figueiredo, Isabel N. ; Figueiredo, Pedro N. ; Leal, Carlos ; Urbano, José Miguel
• Date: 2008
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10316/11197
• Origin: Estudo Geral - Universidade de Coimbra
• Subject(s): Aberrant crypt foci; Logistic differential equation; Apoptosis index; Proliferation index; Colorectal cancer
• Document Type: Preprint
• Language: English

Description

In this paper, we propose mathematical models for the growth dynamics of aberrant crypt foci in the human colon, as well as for some of their characteristics, namely the apoptosis and proliferation indices. The models rely on logistic type differential equations and clinical observations at different times, and can arguably be used as an auxiliary screening tool for colon cancer. We report several results using available medical data.