The role of tissue biophysics in organ selectivity in metastasis

In the event of metastastic disease, emergence of a lesion can occur at varying intervals from diagnosis and in some cases following successful treatment of the primary tumor. Is there a difference in strategy to facilitate outgrowth? Why is there a difference in latency? Genetic factors that drive metastatic progression have been identified, such as those involved in cell adhesion, signaling, extravasation and metabolism. However, organ specific biophysical cues may be a potent contributor to the establishment of these secondary lesions. Here I discuss using optical tweezer based active microrheology to measure the mechanical cues that may influence disseminated tumor cells in different organ microenvironments. I further discuss in vitro and in vivo preclinical models such as 3D culture systems and zebrafish in efforts of understanding the role of the biophysical properties of the stromal architecture on the earliest stage of organ colonization.