BioDynaMo: cutting-edge software helps to battle cancer
BioDynaMo, a project originating from CERN openlab, has developed a novel mathematical model for simulating vascular tumour growth in breast cancer and its response to treatment. This cutting-edge software demonstrates significant potential in personalising treatment strategies through complex 3D computer simulations that help understand cancer progression and identify the most effective treatment strategies for specific tumour cases. Thus offering a promising tool for researchers in oncology, neuroscience, epidemiology and many other disciplines.
Final tumour before treatment (left) and at early stage of treatment (right). (Image: adapted from T. Duswald et al., Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 2024)
In a recent scientific publication, scientists affiliated with CERN, the Technical University of Munich and the University of Texas at Austin demonstrated the significant potential of advancing medical therapy with the help of BioDynaMo. The model successfully replicates medical data on recorded tumour growth and the effects of two anti-cancer drugs, Doxorubicin and Trastuzumab. By fitting the BioDynaMo models to the available pre-clinical data, scientists proved the platform’s ability to simulate different levels of efficacy of various drugs, treatment combinations and dosage regimens.
BioDynaMo has benefitted from the support of CERN’s budget for medical applications, and is now under the umbrella of the CERN Technology Impact Fund, which is part of by the CERN & Society Foundation portfolio.
CERN internal seed funding
Simulation of vascular tumour growth in breast cancer