PIMS-SFU Computational Math Seminar: Thomas Hillen

Abstract. The mathematical modelling of metastasis is a challenge. The occurrence of metastasis is basically random, and the role of the immune response is not at all clear. In this talk I will discuss two models, one for the spatial spread of metastasis and one for the involvement of the immune response. It is planned, in future work, to bring these two models together. The spatial model is based on a stochastic branching process with settlement, leading to a non-local birth-jump process. The cancer-immune model includes pro-tumor effects of the immune system, which can explain metastatic dormancy and blow-up. (Joint work with A. Rhodes and C. Frei).