Mechanical Microenvironment-Dependent Tumor Growth Intervention: Recent Advances and Translational Outlook

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cancer Biology
• Mechanobiology

Background:

• The mechanical microenvironment is crucial for understanding tumor progression and malignant phenotypes.
• Endogenous mechanical cues (matrix stiffness, fluid shear stress, mechanical strain) drive tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance via pathways like integrin-FAK and YAP/TAZ.
• The mechanical microenvironment also impacts immune cell activity and tumor immune evasion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances and mechanisms of mechanical microenvironment-dependent tumor growth interventions.
• To discuss the potential of exogenous mechanical stimuli for therapeutic applications.
• To explore synergistic effects of mechanical interventions with conventional therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on mechanical cues in tumor progression.
• Analysis of mechano-transduction pathways (integrin-FAK, YAP/TAZ).
• Examination of exogenous mechanical stimuli (magnetic fields, ultrasound) for therapeutic use.

Main Results:

• Endogenous mechanical cues promote malignant tumor phenotypes and influence immune evasion.
• Exogenous mechanical stimuli can enhance drug delivery and induce apoptosis.
• Mechanical interventions show synergistic effects with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Mechanical interventions represent a promising strategy for tumor control.
• Challenges in translation require further investigation.
• Multi-omics and artificial intelligence hold potential for personalized mechanical interventions.