Computational Investigation of the Effect of Adhesion Between Cancer Cells and Vessel Walls on the Movement of the Cells in Blood Vessels Using Fluid-Structure Interactions Method

The motion and adhesion of cancer cells in a blood vessel during metastasis is a complex mechanism that occurs in the human body. In this analysis, a two-dimensional model of the movement of cancer cells has been developed that is solved in two different modes in a straight line in a blood vessel. These two modes are related to presence and absence of adhesion between cancer cell and blood vessel wall in the presence of adhesion between cancer cell and white blood cell. The analysis is performed using FEM and FSI equations. For FEM analysis, it is assumed that the properties of blood and cells are homogeneous and fluid is incompressible and Newtonian. Cancer cell is modeled as a rigid body and white blood cell is assumed as linear elastic. The model is time-dependent with 10-5 time step and a network of triangular elements is used. The analysis shows that the influence of adhesion between the cell and the vessel wall is more important from cell-cell adhesion. Through Consideration and scrutiny in the adhesion charts along with medical issues such as drug delivery to cancer patients has a considerable impact in the treatment or prevention of cancer metastasis.