Lesotho mathematician models cancer treatment

Likhang Thethe, a 24-year-old Lesotho mathematician and demonstrator in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the National University of Lesotho, uses equations and computer simulations to study how cancer cells react to oncolytic viruses. These viruses are used in therapeutic approaches aimed at targeting and destroying tumour cells, reports South African daily Sowetan.

His work focuses in particular on cancer cell resistance and the Allee effect, a biological phenomenon whereby a population can lose its ability to survive when its numbers become too low. His simulations suggest that a stronger viral infection could reduce the number of cancer cells sensitive to treatment while promoting the growth of resistant cells. A sufficiently pronounced Allee effect could, however, lead to the disappearance of these resistant cells when their population falls below a critical threshold.

The researcher stresses that these findings are mathematical predictions rather than proven clinical results. His model is still at the computer simulation stage. Laboratory research and additional biological data are needed to verify its relevance to actual treatments.

Likhang Thethe identifies the biological complexity of cancer and the lack of reliable data among the main challenges in his work. He wants to collaborate with cancer specialists, improve his model and compare his predictions with experimental results. He believes that mathematics and computational sciences can enable African researchers to contribute to international medical research.