Vanishing parameter for an optimal control problem modeling tumor growth

Abstract: A distributed optimal control problem for a phase field system which physical context is that of tumor growth is discussed. The system we are going to take into account consists of a Cahn-Hilliard equation for the phase variable (relative concentration of the tumor), coupled with a reaction-diffusion equation for the nutrient. The cost functional is of standard tracking-type and the control variable models the intensity with which it is possible to dispense a medication. The model we deal with presents two small and positive parameters which are introduced in previous contributions as relaxation terms. Here, starting from the already investigated optimal control problem for the relaxed model, we aim at confirming the existence of optimal control and characterizing the first-order optimality condition, via asymptotic schemes, when one of the two occurring parameters goes to zero.