An application of a multivariate estimation of distribution algorithm to cancer chemotherapy

ABSTRACT

Chemotherapy treatment for cancer is a complex optimisation problem with a large number of interacting variables and constraints. A number of different heuristics have been applied to it with varying success. In this paper we expand on this by applying two estimation of distribution algorithms to the problem. One is UMDA and the other is hBOA, the first EDA using a multivariate probabilistic model to be applied to the chemotherapy problem. While instinct would lead us to predict that the more sophisticated algorithm would yield better performance on a complex problem like this, we show that it is outperformed by the algorithms using the simpler univariate model. We hypothesise that this is caused by the more sophisticated algorithm being impeded by the large number of interactions in the problem which though present, do not complicate the search for optima.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.8 Problem Solving, Control Methods, and Search

Additional Classification:
  G. Mathematics of Computing
  G.3 PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS

  J. Computer Applications
  J.3 LIFE AND MEDICAL SCIENCES

General Terms:
Algorithms, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
complexity, estimation of distribution algorithms, medical applications