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Are cancer cells really softer than normal cells?
Charlotte Alibert1,2, Bruno Goud1,2, Jean-Baptiste Manneville1,2
1Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, Paris, France.
Biology of the Cell
|March 1, 2017
Summary
Cancer cells are softer and more deformable than normal cells, a difference that may be useful for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This review explores the biophysical tools and intracellular factors contributing to cancer cell mechanics.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cancer Biology
- Cell Mechanics
Background:
- Solid tumors are often detected by palpation, implying increased rigidity compared to surrounding tissues.
- Individual cancer cells, paradoxically, appear softer than healthy cells.
- This discrepancy highlights the need to investigate cancer cell mechanics at the cellular level.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review physiological reasons for increased cancer cell deformability.
- To describe biophysical tools for characterizing cancer cell mechanics.
- To assess the potential of mechanical differences as cancer biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental studies comparing normal and cancer cell mechanics.
- Analysis of biophysical characterization and modeling techniques.
- Focus on intracellular components influencing cell softness.
Main Results:
- Experimental evidence supports that cancer cells are softer than normal cells.
- Various biophysical tools enable the measurement and modeling of cell mechanics.
- Intracellular factors are identified as potential causes for cancer cell softening.
Conclusions:
- Cancer cells exhibit reduced stiffness compared to normal cells.
- Biophysical properties of cancer cells offer potential diagnostic and prognostic markers.
- Further research is needed to validate mechanical differences for clinical applications.
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