Targeting on the Tumor Stiffness: from Bench to Bed
DENG Huilin#, WANG Nanzhou#, WU Haiyan, WANG Zichao, KANG Weihan, SHEN Ying*
In recent years, the importance of biomechanics in tumor research has been increasingly recognized. Studies have shown that tumor initiation and progression are not only influenced by genetic mutations and molecular signaling pathways but are also closely related to mechanical changes. The physical properties of the ECM (extracellular matrix): such as stiffness, can regulate tumor cell behavior through mechanosensitive molecules, thereby affecting tumor development, metastasis, and therapeutic outcomes. Research in biomechanics provides a new perspective for understanding tumor complexity and opens new avenues for cancer treatment, particularly by modulating the mechanical environment or targeting mechanosensitive molecules to inhibit tumor progression and enhance treatment efficacy. This review explores the role of tumor biomechanical characteristics in tumor progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance, analyzing regulatory mechanisms of tissue stiffness, cellular stiffness, and related signaling pathways, and discusses the potential applications of these factors in cancer therapy.
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