Equations on the Effects of Anti-CTLA-4 Antibodies on Tumor Growth

Heidi Reichert, Qing Wang
Department of Computer Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV 25443

Presentation Category: Mathematics & Physical Sciences (Poster Presentation)

Student’s Major: Mathematics

CTLA-4 is a co-inhibitory molecule that functions to regulate T cell activation. Antibodies that block the interaction of CTLA-4 with its ligands B7.1 and B7.2 can enhance immune responses, including anti-tumor immunity. CTLA-4 blockade has demonstrated significant benefits in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, increasing overall survival rates. Prior research has found that antitumor immunity can be enhanced through the blocking of CLTA-4. More recently, efforts to combine anti-CTLA-4 antibodies with other forms of cancer treatment like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other forms of immunotherapy have proven to be successful. This study has thus focused on the modeling and analyzing of the effects of anti-CTLA-4 antibody therapy on tumor growth using impulsive differential equations and mathematical analysis. A basic model of how anti-CTLA-4 antibodies interact within the tumor microenvironment was created, and equations followed suit. A Jacobian matrix was then created and solved at a tumor-free equilibrium, with a stability analysis and calibration to real-world data to soon be conducted.

Funding: NIH Grant P20GM103434

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: Other West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence.