(511f) CFD Investigation of the Nanoparticle Distribution within the Peritoneal Cavity for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

The peritoneal cavity is a common site of metastatic disease for a variety of cancers including ovarian, gastrointestinal tract, lung and breast. It is also a site for a wide spectrum of non-neoplastic conditions. Nanoparticle-based therapeutics have become increasingly popular for i.p. delivery due to their increased peritoneal residence time and the ability of the particles to freely move throughout the entire cavity for uniform distribution of various drugs. It is, however, unknown what specific nanoparticle formulation and infusion characteristics optimally distribute these particles throughout the cavity to uniformly reach the target tumors. The main objective of this work was to advance the fundamental understanding of the mechanics of complex multiphase flow patterns, distribution and deposition of nanoparticles within the peritoneal cavity using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete phase model (DPM).

Methods:

A 3D numerical model was developed representing human torso with multiple tumors. The nanoparticles were injected inside the peritoneal cavity at a specific flow rate obtained from experiment. The fluid phase was treated as a continuum and governed by the Navier-Stokes equations, while the dispersed phase was solved by tracking a large number of particles through the calculated flow field. The model was developed using DPM model in ANSYS FLUENT software.

Results:

After running various simulations, the nanoparticle formulation properties such as nanoparticle density was investigated in order to understand the nanoparticle distribution in the peritoneal cavity. These results were then correlated with real-time in vivo, optical imaging of mesoporous silica nanoparticle distribution within the peritoneal cavity of mice bearing peritoneal metastasis at various time points up to 24 hours post injection.

Conclusions:

The results of this study were used to gain insight in the overall design of nanoparticle formulations for the treatment of peritoneal tumors by understanding the impact nanoparticle formulation properties on nanoparticle distribution within the peritoneal cavity. This is an undergoing study which could be helpful in studying the effect of formulation and injection properties on the nanoparticle distribution.