An agent-based computational approach for representing aspects of in vitro multi-cellular tumor spheroid growth

There have been many efforts to explain and simulate tumor growth with mathematical and computational models. However, none have systematically examined the behaviors of tumor spheroids during growth. The interactions among tumor cells during growth are also not well understood. We have implemented an agent-based computational approach to study the macro- and micro- behaviors of avascular tumor spheroids during growth. Our simulations of tumor spheroid growth begin with a single tumor cell in optimal environmental conditions. We observe an initial phase of rapid growth, during which the shape of the collective approximates a spheroid. Subsequently a characteristic layered structure develops, consisting of an outermost proliferating cell layer, an intermediate quiescent cell layer, and a central necrotic core. These behaviors of our in silico spheroids map well to experimental in vitro observations.