Modelling the Tumor Microenvironment: Recapitulating Nano- and Micro-Scale Properties that Regulate Tumor Progression

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cancer Biology
• Mechanobiology

Background:

• Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, with metastasis significantly impacting survival.
• Tumor progression involves extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, increasing tissue stiffness via cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).
• This stiffened ECM creates barriers to therapy and promotes tumor invasion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current biomaterial platforms that mimic the tumor microenvironment.
• To understand how ECM remodeling and cell-ECM adhesions regulate tumor growth and cancer cell plasticity.
• To identify mechanically regulated pathways in cancer progression for therapeutic development.

Main Methods:

• Review of engineered biomaterials designed to replicate micro/nano-properties of the tumor microenvironment.
• Analysis of studies investigating cell-ECM adhesions and their role in cancer.
• Examination of mechanobiology principles in cancer progression.

Main Results:

• Mechanobiology tools are advancing our understanding of how the tumor microenvironment influences cancer.
• Altered cell-ECM adhesions are critical regulators of tumor growth and cancer cell adaptability.
• Biomaterials offer insights into mechanically regulated pathways crucial for cancer progression.

Conclusions:

• Mimicking the tumor microenvironment with advanced biomaterials is crucial for studying cancer.
• Understanding mechanical forces in cancer progression can lead to novel preventative and therapeutic strategies.
• Targeting ECM remodeling and cell-ECM adhesions presents a promising avenue for breast cancer treatment.