B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia - A model with immune response

Abstract

B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is known to have substantialclinical heterogeneity. There is no cure, but treatments allow for diseasemanagement. However, the wide range of clinical courses experienced by B-CLLpatients makes prognosis and hence treatment a significant challenge. In an attemptto study disease progression across different patients via aunified yet flexible approach, we present a mathematical model of B-CLL with immune response, that cancapture both rapid and slow disease progression. This model includes four different cellpopulations in the peripheral blood of humans: B-CLL cells, NK cells,cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells. We analyze existing data in the medical literature,determine ranges of values for parameters of the model, and compare our model outcomes to clinical patient data.The goal of this work is to provide a tool that may shed light onfactors affecting the course of disease progression in patients. This modeling tool can serve as a foundation upon which future treatments can be based.