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Zanotelli MR, Chada NC, Johnson CA, Reinhart-King CA. The Physical Microenvironment of Tumors: Characterization and Clinical Impact. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1142/s1793048020300029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and metastasis. As tightly controlled extracellular matrix homeostasis is lost during tumor progression, a dysregulated extracellular matrix can significantly alter cellular phenotype and drive malignancy. Altered physical properties of the tumor microenvironment alter cancer cell behavior, limit delivery and efficacy of therapies, and correlate with tumorigenesis and patient prognosis. The physical features of the extracellular matrix during tumor progression have been characterized; however, a wide range of methods have been used between studies and cancer types resulting in a large range of reported values. Here, we discuss the significant mechanical and structural properties of the tumor microenvironment, summarizing their reported values and clinical impact across cancer type and grade. We attempt to integrate the values in the literature to identify sources of reported differences and commonalities to better understand how aberrant extracellular matrix dynamics contribute to cancer progression. An intimate understanding of altered matrix properties during malignant transformation will be crucial in effectively detecting, monitoring, and treating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Zanotelli
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY 14583, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Avenue, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Neil C. Chada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Avenue, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - C. Andrew Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Avenue, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Cynthia A. Reinhart-King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Avenue, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
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