Cancer Metastasis: The Capacity of Cancer Cells to Migrate via Restricted Space as a Result of Vigorous Change in Elastic Properties

Cancer metastasis is characterized by secondary malignant growth(s) distant from the original site, as a result of migration via blood or lymphatic vessels. In 2008, cancer resulted in 7.6 billion deaths around the world; metastasis is the leading cause of death in cancer patients. The goal of the study is to understand the capabilities and differences in normal vs. cancer cell migration, and go further on to examine the intravasation of cancer cells into capillaries. In the first study, microchannel devices with tapered channels (from 20 to 5µm width, 5mm height) were used to study the migration of bladder cancer and normal urothelial cells via restricted space, mimicking our native tissue. Quantitative analysis in the number of migrated bladder cancer vs. urothelial cells shows that the cancer cells vigorously migrate 18 times as compared to that of urothelial cells after 96 hours. Thus, cancer cells were found to display more elastic properties by ability to penetrate via very restricted space (5x5µm microchannel, much smaller than cell size). The cancer cells morphed their usual round shape to squeeze through the tiny opening, normal urothelial cells rarely managed to get through. In a second study, an in vitro model of metastasis was created, using the microchannel device with endothelial capillaries formed in ECM/Collagen gels along the channels. The contact between capillary and cancer cells was examined, to distinguish unforeseen interactions. Successful results of the study provide a closer look in the motility of cancer cells, and a new target for drug innovation.