Harnessing atomic force microscopy-based single-cell analysis to advance physical oncology

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cancer Biology
• Cellular Mechanics

Background:

• Single-cell analysis offers insights into cell-to-cell heterogeneity in physiological and pathological processes.
• Understanding cancer complexity requires dissecting individual cell behaviors.
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a key tool for analyzing single living cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize achievements of AFM-based single-cell analysis in advancing physical oncology.
• To highlight AFM's capabilities in characterizing cancer cell structural and mechanical behaviors.
• To discuss challenges and future perspectives in AFM applications for cancer research.

Main Methods:

• Atomic force microscopy (AFM) for non-destructive imaging of fine topographies.
• Quantitative measurement of multiple mechanical properties of single living cancer cells.
• Analysis of structural and mechanical behaviors during tumor formation, invasion, and metastasis.

Main Results:

• AFM enables visualization of cellular fine structures.
• AFM quantifies multiple mechanical properties and cell-generated forces.
• AFM provides unique insights into tumor pathogenesis from a biomechanical perspective.

Conclusions:

• AFM is a powerful tool for single-cell analysis in cancer research.
• AFM contributes significantly to the field of cancer mechanobiology.
• Further harnessing AFM-based single-cell analysis holds potential for advancing physical oncology.