Tissue tension link with cancer studied

PHILADELPHIA, Sep 19, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Newly published U.S. research reportedly provides rare insight into how mechanical force can regulate cellular behavior.

The study uncovered a link between tissue tension and tumor formation, suggesting the stiffness of tissue can influence molecular signals that promote the malignant behavior of tumor cells. The research may identify new targets for tumor therapies.

Tumors are more rigid than normal tissues, and palpation of compliant tissues to look for a rigid tissue mass has been used as a method of cancer detection. However, the relationship between tissue stiffness and the behavior of tumor cells is not well understood.

Dr. Valerie Weaver of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and colleagues examined cancer cells developing within a three-dimensional gel system in which rigidity could be controlled to learn how tissue stiffening might drive malignant behavior of cancer cells.

Their findings are published in the September issue of the journal Cancer Cell.