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Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Evaluation of Cancer Stem Cell Migration Using Compartmentalizing Microfluidic Devices and Live Cell Imaging
Published on: December 23, 2011
Fuel, form, and memory: The motility-driven journey of cancer cells
Carolina Trenado-Yuste1,2, Celeste M Nelson1,3
1Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.
Abstract:
Tumor progression is a complex, multi-stage process that involves tumor formation, cancer cell invasion, and metastasis and colonization of distant sites. Each stage is driven in part by cell motility and interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment. In this review, we describe how cell motility contributes to each stage of cancer progression, with a focus on cell metabolism, nuclear mechanics, and mechanical memory. Throughout, we highlight the mechanisms used by cancer cells to move and adapt during the metastatic cascade. Understanding how cancer cells migrate can provide valuable insights into novel approaches to disrupt metastasis and improve outcomes of cancer treatments.
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