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In this paper we analyse a previously proposed cell-based model of glioblastoma (brain tumour) growth, which is based on the assumption that the cancer cells switch phenotypes between a proliferative and motile state (Gerlee and Nelander, 2012). The dynamics of this model can be described by a system of partial differential equations, which exhibits travelling wave solutions whose wave speed depends crucially on the rates of phenotypic switching. We show that under certain conditions on the model parameters, a closed form expression of the wave speed can be obtained, and using singular perturbation methods we also derive an approximate expression of the wave front shape. These new analytical results agree with simulations of the cell-based model, and importantly show that the inverse relationship between wave front steepness and speed observed for the Fisher equation no longer holds when phenotypic switching is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the month of August 2021, APBN looks at some of the progress made in cancer research. In Features, we have Yie Hou Lee and Michael Birnbaum from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (SMART-CAMP) to share about the future of CAR T cell manufacturing. Next, a team of researchers from the National Neuroscience Institute, National University of Singapore, and the Duke-NUS Medical School enlightens us on the difficulty of treating glioblastoma brain tumours and how they plan to address its critical issues. Then we have Dr. Chi-Jui Liu and Hsiao Yun Lu to talk about hereditary cancers and how we may improve our odds in this game of roulette. In Columns, we have an analysis by Dr. Ping-Chung Leung on the integrative use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in managing treatment outcomes of COVID-19 patients and a reflection by Dr. Chris Nave on the lessons we can take away from the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Finally, in Spotlights, we share highlights from the Vaccines World Summit 2021 and an interview with Mr. Abel Ang, Group Chief Executive of Advanced MedTech on how their new venture AbAsia Biolabs can help meet Singapore' need for increased COVID-19 test kits as we enter a new normal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mustang Bio and City of Hope's CAR-T therapy for glioblastoma led to stable disease in half of the subjects, with one surviving beyond five years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following topics are under this section: ASIA-PACIFIC — Shedding Light on COVID-19 Vaccine Development ASIA-PACIFIC — Community-led Interventions for Improving Blood Pressure Control ASIA-PACIFIC — Importance of Redox Homeostasis in Potential Treatment of Disease ASIA-PACIFIC — Novel Processor Architecture to Solve Complex Mathematical Problems ASIA-PACIFIC — Uncovering Mechanisms of the Human Biological Clock ASIA-PACIFIC — Discovery of Healthy Stomach Stem Cells Reveals Cancer Origins ASIA-PACIFIC — Cataloguing Cancer "fingerprints" to Map Cancer Genomes ASIA-PACIFIC — Creating a Circular Economy using Greenhouse Gases REST OF THE WORLD — Guide for Liquid Biopsy in Individual Glioblastoma Patients REST OF THE WORLD — Multi-purpose use of Breast and Kidney Cancer Drugs REST OF THE WORLD — The Two Faces of Immune Cells REST OF THE WORLD — Fine Particle Air Pollution Linked to Development of Kidney Disease Global updates on latest breakthroughs in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's 2018 Future Science Prize winners announced. China tops world in alcohol-related deaths. Nanotech to inhibit wheat sprouting. New antibacterial hydrogel for wound healing. Genetically modified Zika virus vaccine to treat brain tumour. Semi-elastic nanoparticles to deliver drugs. Chinese stent for heart disease reported safe in European patients. First China-developed drug for colorectal cancer approved in China. More medicines added to the national list of essential medicines. Recent revisions in Chinese regulations open new doors for contract research organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]