Mechanical Adaptability of Tumor Cells in Metastasis
Gensbittel V, Kraeter M, Harlepp S, Busnelli I, Guck J, Goetz JG (2021)
Publication Type: Journal article, Review article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Book Volume: 56
Pages Range: 164-179
Journal Issue: 2
DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.10.011
Abstract
The most dangerous aspect of cancer lies in metastatic progression. Tumor cells will successfully form life-threatening metastases when they undergo sequential steps along a journey from the primary tumor to distant organs. From a biomechanics standpoint, growth, invasion, intravasation, circulation, arrest/adhesion, and extravasation of tumor cells demand particular cell-mechanical properties in order to survive and complete the metastatic cascade. With metastatic cells usually being softer than their non-malignant counterparts, high deformability for both the cell and its nucleus is thought to offer a significant advantage for metastatic potential. However, it is still unclear whether there is a finely tuned but fixed mechanical state that accommodates all mechanical features required for survival throughout the cascade or whether tumor cells need to dynamically refine their properties and intracellular components at each new step encountered. Here, we review the various mechanical requirements successful cancer cells might need to fulfill along their journey and speculate on the possibility that they dynamically adapt their properties accordingly. The mechanical signature of a successful cancer cell might actually be its ability to adapt to the successive microenvironmental constraints along the different steps of the journey.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
National Institute for Health and Medical Research / Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM)
France (FR)
Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Germany (DE)
France (FR)
Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Gensbittel, V., Kraeter, M., Harlepp, S., Busnelli, I., Guck, J., & Goetz, J.G. (2021). Mechanical Adaptability of Tumor Cells in Metastasis. Developmental Cell, 56(2), 164-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2020.10.011
MLA:
Gensbittel, Valentin, et al. "Mechanical Adaptability of Tumor Cells in Metastasis." Developmental Cell 56.2 (2021): 164-179.
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