Optimal control of a viral disease

Robert F. Stengel, Raffaele Ghigliazza, Nilesh Kulkarni, Olivier Laplace

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Treatment of a viral disease process is interpreted as the optimal control of a dynamic system. Evolution of the disease is characterized by a nonlinear, fourth-order ordinary differential equation that describes concentrations of pathogenic antigens (or pathogens), plasma cells, and antibodies, as well as a numerical indication of patient health. Without control, the dynamic model evidences sub-clinical or clinical decay, chronic stabilization, or unrestrained lethal growth of the pathogen, depending on the initial conditions for a simulated viral attack. The dynamic equations are controlled by therapeutic agents that affect the rate of change of system variables. Control histories that minimize a quadratic cost function are generated by numerical optimization over a fixed time interval, given otherwise lethal initial conditions. Tradeoffs between cost function weighting of pathogens, organ health, and use of therapeutics are evaluated. Optimal control solutions that defeat the virus and preserve organ health are demonstrated for individual and combined therapies. It is shown that control theory can point the way toward new protocols for treatment and cure of human diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3795-3800
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the American Control Conference
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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