A recent study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) highlights how variations in cancer cells and their interactions with their surroundings influence their migration patterns. Published in the Biophysical Journal, the findings reveal that cancer cells adapt their movement depending on the physical and biochemical properties of their microenvironment.
The researchers investigated two ovarian cancer cell types: OVCAR-3, which has a polygonal shape, and SKOV-3, characterized by its elongated spindle shape. Both cell types are known for their ability to metastasize and invade tissues. The study explored how these cells behave on surfaces mimicking healthy and diseased tissues.
When placed on soft surfaces similar to healthy tissues, both cell types exhibited slow, random movement. However, on stiff surfaces resembling the scarred tissues surrounding tumors, their behavior changed. Notably, OVCAR-3 cells displayed a unique "slip" migration pattern, where their movement became less aligned with their shape, as though sliding rather than moving directly.
To understand these dynamics, the researchers developed a software toolkit combining Shannon entropy (a measure of randomness) with shape- and movement-based metrics. This toolkit enabled quantitative analysis of live cell behavior over time, uncovering how the OVCAR-3 cells adapt uniquely in diverse environments.
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Ramray Bhat, Associate Professor at IISc's Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, emphasized the study's significance. He noted plans to expand research into collective cancer cell dynamics in 3D environments, aiming to provide new insights into ovarian cancer pathology—a disease marked by rapid metastasis and high morbidity.
This breakthrough offers a deeper understanding of how cancer cells migrate, potentially aiding the development of targeted treatments to combat metastasis.
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