Tumor Evolution Simulation with Cell-Level Oncogene Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for simulating tumor evolution lack accuracy, particularly in capturing intra-tumor heterogeneity and the influence of oncogene activation levels on cell proliferation, which is crucial for improving diagnostics and therapeutics.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that simulates tumor evolution by considering the degree of oncogene activation in individual cells, updating data based on proliferation models, and maintaining heterogeneity through spatial localization and probabilistic variations, allowing for personalized simulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If partial differential equations are used to simulate tumors at tissue scale, then the simulation can describe tumor behavior in specific locations, but the accuracy of the simulation is relatively low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoidmodel complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tumor simulation into discrete cellular units (agents) rather than treating it as a continuous field. Each cell is modeled as an independent agent with specific properties (oncogene activation levels, proliferation rates, spatial coordinates), allowing the system to capture heterogeneity at the cellular level while maintaining computational tractability through modular agent-based architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different oncogene activation levels and proliferation characteristics to individual cells based on their spatial location and microenvironment. The model incorporates local variations in gene expression and cell behavior, allowing each region of the tumor to have distinct properties that reflect biological heterogeneity rather than uniform behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If traditional tumor simulation methods are used, then computational resources can be managed, but intra-tumor heterogeneity and oncogene activation dynamics are not accurately captured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheterogeneity capture accuracyVSAvoidcomputational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes key parameters from fixed values to dynamic variables that evolve over time. Oncogene activation levels, proliferation rates, and cell states are modeled as time-dependent parameters that change based on local conditions, drug treatments, and cellular interactions. This allows the model to capture temporal dynamics of tumor evolution without requiring excessive computational resources through efficient parameter update schemes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamics by modeling tumor evolution as a time-dependent process where cell properties, spatial distributions, and population compositions continuously change. The agent-based framework naturally captures dynamic behaviors such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and death, allowing the simulation to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining computational efficiency through event-driven update mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3591666B1Simulating evolution of a tumor
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 DASSAULT SYSTEMES SA
  • EP3591666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
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AI summary

The invention notably relates to a computer-implemented method for simulating evolution of a tumor associated to an oncogene. The method comprises providing (S10) a plurality of pieces of data, each corresponding to a given cell of the tumor, and includes a degree of activation of the oncogene in the given cell. The method further comprises providing (S20) a model configured to take an input piece of data and to output an information on proliferation of the respective given cell corresponding to the input piece of data. The information on proliferation depends on the degree of activation of the oncogene. The method further comprises running (S30) the model on one or more pieces of data of the plurality of pieces of data and updating (S40) the plurality of pieces of data based on the result of the running (S30). Such a method improves the simulation of the evolution of a tumor.