Applied Maths Seminar: Malinzi -- Investigating the synergistic anti-cancer effects of combining two oncolytic viruses: the case of vaccinia and vesicular stomatitis

Joseph Malinzi (University of Eswatini) is visiting the department from 29th January to
26th February, and will be giving a seminar on Friday 14th February at 11am in the
Access Grid Room.  

We will go to lunch afterwards.  

Title: Investigating the synergistic anti-cancer effects of combining two oncolytic
viruses: the case of vaccinia and vesicular stomatitis 

Abstract: This research investigates the synergistic effects of combining Vaccinia (VV)
and Vesicular stomatitis (VSV) oncolytic viruses for cancer treatment.  The mathematical
model is based on an experiment by Le Boeuf et al., where the combination of VV and VSV
demonstrated synergistic oncolytic activity in vitro and in vivo.  The model’s
solution long-term behavior has been analyzed, allowing us to predict the outcome of the
combination, a global sensitivity analysis has been conducted to determine the
parameters that most significantly influence the treatment outcome and several numerical
simulations have been carried out to investigate the effect of different factors.
Optimal time delays (\tau1 and \tau2 representing optimal virus initial delivery of VV
and VSV), to minimize tumor cell count during virus administration, have been
determined.  Joint work with Raluca Eftimie, Anotida Madzvamuse, Rachid Ouifki, Amina
Eladdadi and Helen Byrne