Mimicking Gastric Cancer Collagen Reorganization with Decellularized ECM-Based Scaffolds

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomaterials Science
• Cancer Biology

Background:

• The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influences gastric cancer progression.
• Collagen, a major extracellular matrix (ECM) component, creates a dense barrier impacting anti-tumor immunity and cancer cell signaling.
• Increased ECM stiffness due to collagen modification enhances tumor cell invasion and immunotherapy resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of collagen in gastric cancer progression, focusing on its expression, deposition, and biological functions.
• To highlight therapeutic strategies targeting collagen biosynthesis and degradation for ECM stiffening.
• To emphasize the need for advanced 3D in vitro models that mimic the collagen-rich TME.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on collagen's role in gastric cancer.
• Analysis of collagen's impact on cancer cell signaling, migration, and metabolism.
• Exploration of novel therapeutic strategies targeting collagen dynamics.
• Discussion of 3D in vitro models and decellularized ECM biomaterials.

Main Results:

• Collagen upregulation and deposition contribute to gastric cancer dissemination and malignancy.
• Altered ECM mechanical properties, driven by collagen, promote invasiveness and immune evasion.
• Targeting collagen biosynthesis and degradation presents a promising therapeutic approach.
• 3D in vitro models using biomaterials are crucial for accurately simulating the TME.

Conclusions:

• Collagen plays a critical role in the progression and dissemination of gastric cancer.
• Therapeutic strategies modulating collagen are essential for overcoming ECM-induced resistance.
• Advanced 3D models, particularly those using decellularized ECM, are vital for studying gastric cancer in a relevant microenvironment.