This report describes a computational framework in the form of an in silico Drosophila Patient Model (DPM) for developing personalized drug combinations for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Five molecular network models of cells regulating the maintenance of adult Drosophila midgut epithelium lining were constructed: multipotent intestinal stem cells (ISCs), enteroblasts (EBs), enterocytes (ECs), enteroendocrine cells (EEs), and visceral muscle (VM) cells. Using specific CRC cases, results obtained from the in silico DPM analyses helped to elucidate cell fate evolution in colorectal tumorigenesis, to validate cytotoxicity of nine FDA-approved CRC drugs, and to devise optimal personalized treatment using drug combinations.
[updated Aug. 2021 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]