Finite element simulations for magnetized nanoparticles diffusion in tumor microenvironments: A computational case study for cancer therapy and hyperthermia treatment

Recently , nanotechnology has gained significant appeal in science and engineering due to its promising applications in cancer therapy. Particularly, its application in magnetic fluid hyperthermia brought a revolution due to selective heating in the targeted tumor region that depends on the accurate dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in tumor tissue. The controlled diffusion of these MNPs in the tumor enables effective heating to destroy tumor cells while sparing neighboring healthy cells. This article focuses on the modeling and simulation of the effective diffusion of nanofluid in porous tumors through an intravenous approach, which is preferable in hyperthermia for in vivo and in vitro studies. We will design and validate an effective FEM based computational modeling framework with tumor microenvironment using COMSOL Multiphysics software, which will simulate the diffusion of nanofluid in porous tumors. This model is based on FEM analysis of diffusion equations associated with effective diffusivity with initial and boundary conditions. The thermal analysis of the model predicts the temperature distribution (37 °C to 45 o C) inside the tumor. The numerical model has been solved for diffusive flux, surface concentration, pressure, and average flux. Also, with a 10% increase in porosity, the effective diffusion decreases about 30% and a 10% increase in tortuosity results in a 50% decrease in effective diffusion. The simulations are validated with available studies with excellent agreement. This research will aid in planning nano-induced magnetic fluid hyperthermia treatment of cancer before and after applying an external magnetic field for heating MNPs.