September 28
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12:00 PM
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1:00 PM
Mechanobiology of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Mediated by 3D Extracellular Matrix
Ian Wong, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Engineering
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Brown University
Abstract:
Invasion and metastasis are a hallmark of cancer and governed by mechanical interactions with the extracellular matrix. Indeed, there exists a dynamic reciprocity where by cell migration is shaped by matrix architecture, but the matrix architecture is (in turn) shaped by cell migration. We seek to reverse engineer human tumor progression using biomimetic platforms that reveal collective behaviors in space and time. Here, I present my lab’s recent results on the mechanobiology of cancer cells. First, we analyze the disorganization and dissemination of multicellular spheroids cultured in 3D matrix, which exhibit a transition from coordinated circumferential orbiting towards radial matrix invasion. Second, we analyze how human circulating tumor cells that metastasize to particular organs in patients and xenograft models adhere to decellularized extracellular matrix. We further use gene expression profiling to predict drug sensitivity and identify candidate drug compounds. We envision these technologies can enable new fundamental insights into the interplay between tumor cells and their physical microenviroment, with potential translation for precision medicine and drug development.
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