Microgravity influenced unsteady dispersion during magnetic drug targeting in an inclined tumor-stenosed microvessel with slip effects

Abstract

Introduction:

Recent cancer research into microgravity or altered gravity environments has gained attention for its potential to disrupt cancer cell growth and proliferation while reducing the risk of chemoresistance—a major challenge in conventional chemotherapy.

Aim of the study:

Motivated by the emerging applications of microgravity in cancer research, the current study aimed to mathematically investigate the potential of the microgravity-enhanced environment in combination with magnetic drug targeting (MDT) to optimize drug delivery and dispersion.

Methodology:

The particle velocity, including microgravity’s influence in the presence of an external applied magnetic field alongside fluid pressure, was computed analytically while the solute dispersion model was numerically evaluated using the Crank–Nicolson method.

Results:

Findings show that microgravity lowered particle concentration in the tumor, however, improved drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticle properties, and magnetic field strength reveal a positive impact on nanoparticle accumulation. Also, altered stenosis height, inclination angle, slip velocity, and other control parameters such as Peclet number, magnetic-tumor distance, drug source term, elimination, and local skin friction revealed significant differences in particle dispersion behavior before, within, and after the stenosis region.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest potential future therapeutic applications of altered gravity in combination with MDT phenomena to improve drug delivery for noninvasive therapeutic strategies.