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Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

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Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
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Tumor Progression02:07

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Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
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Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
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Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
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Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

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The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
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Cancer02:18

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Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 30, 2025

Heteromulticellular Stromal Cells in Scaffold-free 3D Cultures of Epithelial Cancer Cells to Drive Invasion
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Tissue architecture in tumor initiation and progression.

Jorge Almagro1, Hendrik A Messal2, Alberto Elosegui-Artola3

  • 1Adult Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.

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Tumor 3D architecture significantly influences cancer progression and invasion by altering the mechanical microenvironment. Understanding tissue morphology is key to deciphering cancer biology and developing effective therapies.

Keywords:
mechanicstissue architecturetumor progressiontumorigenesis

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • The three-dimensional (3D) architecture of tumor tissues is a critical determinant of the cancer mechanical microenvironment.
  • Tumor morphology is modulated by intrinsic and extrinsic forces from cancer cells, host tissue, and the microenvironment.
  • These forces influence cancer progression, invasion, and therapeutic response through mechanical, biochemical, genetic, and epigenetic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent discoveries on how tumor architecture is constructed.
  • To discuss the impact of tissue morphology on cancer cell biology and progression.
  • To focus on carcinoma, the most prevalent cancer type.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on tumor architecture and cancer biology.
  • Analysis of research investigating the influence of tissue morphology on cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapy response.
  • Synthesis of findings related to carcinoma.

Main Results:

  • Tumor architecture shapes the mechanical microenvironment, affecting stromal cell accessibility and invasion routes.
  • Cancer cell and host tissue interactions dynamically modulate tumor morphology and malignant potential.
  • Tissue morphology plays a crucial role in all stages of cancer, from initiation to metastasis and treatment.

Conclusions:

  • The 3D architecture of tumors is integral to cancer development and progression.
  • Investigating tumor morphology provides insights into cancer biology and potential therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research into the interplay between tissue structure and cancer is essential for advancing oncology.