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Cell Mechanics in Cancer: Integrating Mechanotransduction Pathways Within the Tumor Microenvironment.
Merve Sevgi1, Yağmur Işık2, Caner Karaca3
1Department of Bioengineering, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Journal of Cellular Physiology
|May 11, 2026
Summary
Cancer cell stiffness is altered, impacting tumor growth and treatment resistance. Measuring this mechanical property offers potential for cancer diagnostics and personalized therapies, but requires standardized methods for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cancer Biology
- Cell Mechanics
Background:
- Single-cell mechanical properties are vital for biological functions.
- Cancer cells exhibit altered mechanics, contributing to tumor progression and therapy resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of cancer cell stiffness in cancer progression.
- To explore the regulatory mechanisms of cell stiffness.
- To evaluate advanced techniques for measuring cell stiffness and their clinical applicability.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on cancer cell mechanics.
- Analysis of regulatory pathways including cytoskeletal remodeling, nuclear mechanics, and ECM interactions.
- Evaluation of advanced measurement techniques like AFM, Brillouin microscopy, and acousto-holography.
Main Results:
- Cancer cell stiffness is regulated by cytoskeletal dynamics, nuclear properties, and the tumor microenvironment (TME).
- Mechanotransduction pathways involving YAP/TAZ and integrin-FAK signaling are key modulators.
- Cell stiffness shows promise as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and treatment response predictor.
Conclusions:
- Altered cancer cell stiffness is a significant factor in cancer progression and treatment outcomes.
- Advanced techniques offer potential for measuring cell stiffness, but clinical translation faces challenges.
- Integrating biomechanical markers could enhance cancer diagnostics and personalize treatment strategies.
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