Recent advances in micro-physiological systems for investigating tumor metastasis and organotropism

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional 2D cell cultures and animal models inadequately represent the complexity of tumor metastasis.
• Tumor metastasis involves genetic changes, microenvironment adaptation, and altered drug responses, leading to significant cancer mortality.
• Understanding organotropism, the preferential spread of tumors to specific organs, is crucial for effective cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements (past five years) in micro-physiological systems (MPS) for studying tumor metastasis.
• To highlight the application of MPS in replicating organotropism and its underlying mechanisms.
• To discuss limitations in current MPS-based organotropism research and propose future strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on micro-physiological systems (MPS) focusing on cancer metastasis and organotropism.
• Analysis of how MPS integrate biochemical, biomechanical, and geometrical cues to mimic in vivo conditions.
• Examination of MPS capabilities in simulating organ-specific microenvironments and vascular conditions influencing metastasis.

Main Results:

• MPS technology shows significant promise in emulating the complex processes of tumor metastasis and organotropism.
• Recent MPS developments allow for the integration of critical factors influencing metastasis, such as organ microenvironments.
• MPS can effectively model organotropism by simulating tumor cell characteristics and organ-specific conditions.

Conclusions:

• Micro-physiological systems represent a powerful tool for advancing our understanding of tumor metastasis and organotropism.
• Further development of MPS is needed to overcome current limitations in accurately replicating organ-specific metastasis.
• Improved MPS models are pivotal for developing targeted therapies against metastatic cancers.