Patient-Specific Multiscale Modelling of Glioblastoma: Targeted
Modulation of Interstitial Fluid Flow Using Electric Field
Glioblastomas are aggressive, highly heterogeneous brain tumours with poor
prognosis and limited treatment options. Their complex microenvironment,
characterised by elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) and irregular
microstructure, presents major barriers to effective therapeutic delivery. We
present a novel, patient-specific, multiscale, and multi-compartment
computational model that simulates interstitial fluid flow, pressure, and electric
field distributions, incorporating realistic MRI-derived brain geometries and
histopathology-informed tissue microstructures.
Using asymptotic homogenisation, we derive effective transport properties that
bridge macroscale anatomy with microscale heterogeneity. Each tissue
compartment, necrotic core, tumour, oedema, and white matter, is assigned
distinct dielectric and hydraulic properties. We solve homogenised Darcy and
Laplace-type equations to compute physiologically relevant distributions of
pressure and velocity.
Our simulations show elevated IFP in tumour and peritumoral oedema regions,
with outward fluid flow limiting drug penetration. We demonstrate that applying
an external electric field can reverse and redirect this flow, promoting inward
transport and improving drug uptake. This electrokinetic modulation offers a
promising strategy to overcome transportation barriers. To our knowledge, this
is the first model to combine patient-specific geometry and multiscale physics
in the context of electric field-driven glioblastoma treatment, establishing a
new computational framework for personalised therapy planning.
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Modelling of Glioblastoma: Targeted Modulation of Interstitial Fluid Flow Using
Electric Field.