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Beyond the chaos: How architecture structures tumour biology
Lea Dörner1, Catrin Lutz1, Stefan Prekovic2
1Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The FEBS Journal
|February 22, 2026
Summary
Cancer development is influenced by genetic mutations and the tumor microenvironment. Tissue architecture, including physical, biochemical, and cellular factors, shapes tumor progression and treatment resistance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cancer is a complex disease influenced by genetic mutations and its surrounding microenvironment.
- Tumor progression and treatment resistance are shaped by the spatial context of cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent literature on how physical, biochemical, and cellular relationships orchestrate tumor development.
- To examine the role of tissue architecture in cancer initiation, progression, and treatment resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating the tumor microenvironment.
- Analysis of the interplay between physical forces, biochemical signals, and cellular interactions in cancer.
Main Results:
- Tissue architecture integrates structural organization, physical forces, biochemical niches, and cellular neighborhoods.
- The tumor microenvironment acts as an architect of tumor behavior, not just a passive scaffold.
- Spatial relationships and multiscale communication drive tumor initiation, progression, and resistance.
Conclusions:
- Cancer is a patterned system shaped by coordinated spatial relationships within the tissue architecture.
- Understanding the tumor microenvironment is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.
- Physical, biochemical, and cellular interactions are key determinants of cancer fate and evolution.
Keywords:
Tissue architecturebiochemistrybiophysicscellular neighbourhoodsmicroenvironmenttumour biologyMore Related Videos
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