J Cancer Prev.  2016 Jun;21(2):73-80. 10.15430/JCP.2016.21.2.73.

Nano-mechanical Phenotype as a Promising Biomarker to Evaluate Cancer Development, Progression, and Anti-cancer Drug Efficacy

• Park S

• KMID: 2353806
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15430/JCP.2016.21.2.73

Abstract

Since various bio-mechanical assays have been introduced for studying mechanical properties of biological samples, much progress has been made in cancer biology. It has been noted that enhanced mechanical deformability can be used as a marker for cancer diagnosis. The relation between mechanical compliances and the metastatic potential of cancer cells has been suggested to be a promising prognostic marker. Although it is yet to be conclusive about its clinical application due to the complexity in the tissue integrity, the nano-mechanical compliance of human cell samples has been evaluated by several groups as a promising marker in diagnosing cancer development and anticipating its progression. In this review, we address the mechanical properties of diverse cancer cells obtained by atomic force microscopy-based indentation experiments and reiterate prognostic relations between the nano-mechanical compliance and cancer progression. We also review the nano-mechanical responses of cancer cells to the anti-cancer drug treatment in order to interrogate a possible use of nano-mechanical compliance as a means to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs.

Keyword

Elastic modulus; Atomic force microscopy; Neoplasm metastasis; Chemotherapeutic anticancer agents

MeSH Terms

Antineoplastic Agents
Biology
Compliance
Diagnosis
Elastic Modulus
Humans
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Neoplasm Metastasis
Phenotype*
Antineoplastic Agents