Cancer chemotherapy: Optimal control using the Verhulst-Pearl equation

General (deterministic) ordinary differential equations for the representation of cancer growth are presented when the growth is perturbed due to the action of a chemotherapeutic agent. The Verhulst-Pearl equation is introduced as a particular example of a growth equation applicable to human tumors. An optimal control problem with general performance criterion and state equation is formulated and shown to possess a novel feedback control relationship. This relationship is used in two continuous drug delivery problems involving the Verhulst-Pearl equation.