Mathematical model of tumor immune microenvironment with application to the combined therapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and IL-10 cytokine antibody

The tumor microenvironment constitutes a sophisticated integrated system shaped by the intricate interplay of tumor cells, immune cells, and cytokines. Within this milieu, the dynamics between immune cells and cytokines play a pivotal role in steering the course of tumor growth and evolution. Despite the maturity of clinical tumor immunotherapy systems, there is a notable gap in the comprehensive simulation of tumor immune response processes, particularly in cytokine-centric research. This study delves into the nuanced regulatory interactions among tumor cells, immune cells, and cytokines to address this gap and simulate the intricacies of the tumor immunotherapy process. We establish a comprehensive modeling and computational framework, integrating PD-1 inhibitors and interleukin-10 (IL-10) antibodies. This research offers a detailed mathematical analysis, shedding light on the profound impact of changes in the immune microenvironment on tumor numbers. Our findings underscore a significant therapeutic effect when administering anti-PD-1 medications or IL-10 inhibitors to individuals with tumors. Notably, an increase in the dosage of each drug correlates with a decrease in the quantity of tumors within the patient's body. Furthermore, the exploration of combination therapy demonstrates a remarkable extension of survival, achieved through reduced drug dosages compared to monotherapy. Based on model simulations, we proposed prognostic predictions by measuring the microenvironmental status before treatment. The results provide a promising avenue that could improve treatment efficacy and provide potential benefits to patients receiving tumor immunotherapy.