Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers
18:57

Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers

Published on: October 17, 2013

47.4K

Transport Barriers and Oncophysics in Cancer Treatment

Sara Nizzero1, Arturas Ziemys2, Mauro Ferrari3

  • 1Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Applied Physics Graduate Program, Smalley-Curl Institute, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.

Trends in Cancer
|April 3, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Transport oncophysics (TOP) studies how cancer transport processes impact drug delivery and metastasis. Understanding these transport barriers reveals new therapeutic strategies for cancer hallmarks.

Area of Science:

  • Oncophysics
  • Cancer Biology
  • Transport Phenomena

Background:

  • Transport processes are fundamental to cancer progression, influencing both tumor growth and the spread of disease.
  • The study of cancer hallmarks has been significantly advanced by understanding the physical processes involved.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of transport processes in cancer using the transport oncophysics (TOP) approach.
  • To explore how overcoming transport barriers can be leveraged for improved cancer therapeutics and metastasis control.

Main Methods:

  • Investigating the sequential negotiation of transport barriers within the tumor microenvironment.
  • Applying principles of physics and engineering to cancer biology challenges.

Main Results:

  • The TOP approach highlights the critical role of transport barriers in drug delivery efficacy.
  • Understanding transport dynamics is key to inhibiting cancer cell metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • Transport oncophysics offers novel insights into cancer hallmarks and progression.
  • This approach stimulates the development of innovative therapeutic strategies targeting cancer transport mechanisms.
Keywords:
biophysical markersdrug partitioningdrug transporttransport barrierstransport oncophysicstransport phenotype

More Related Videos

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies07:29

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Published on: June 20, 2015

20.2K
Author Spotlight: Studying Brain Endothelial Barrier in Metastatic Cancer Using Impedance-Based Biosensors09:38

Author Spotlight: Studying Brain Endothelial Barrier in Metastatic Cancer Using Impedance-Based Biosensors

Published on: September 22, 2023

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.8K
Facilitated Transport01:19

Facilitated Transport

The chemical and physical properties of plasma membranes cause them to be selectively permeable. Since plasma membranes have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, substances need to be able to transverse both regions. The hydrophobic area of membranes repels substances such as charged ions. Therefore, such substances need special membrane proteins to cross a membrane successfully. In  facilitated transport, also known as facilitated diffusion, molecules and ions travel across a...
151.4K
Primary Active Transport01:47

Primary Active Transport

In contrast to passive transport, active transport involves a substance being moved through membranes in a direction against its concentration or electrochemical gradient. There are two types of active transport: primary active transport and secondary active transport. Primary active transport utilizes chemical energy from ATP to drive protein pumps that are embedded in the cell membrane. With energy from ATP, the pumps transport ions against their electrochemical gradients—a direction...
200.9K
Secondary Active Transport01:55

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
138.2K
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing...
7.0K
Phloem and Sugar Transport02:02

Phloem and Sugar Transport

Like many living organisms, plants have tissues that specialize in specific plant functions. For example, shoots are well adapted to rapid growth, while roots are structured to acquire resources efficiently. However, sugar production is primarily restricted to the photosynthetic cells that reside in the leaves of angiosperm plants. Sugar and other resources are transported from photosynthetic tissues to other specialized tissues by a process called translocation.
40.1K