Scientists find ways to prevent particularly dangerous form of cancer

Cancer tumors are surrounded by an elastic film, which becomes stiffer as the defective tissue grows. This limits the ability of malignant cells to form metastases and helps inhibit tumor growth, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology noted in their study.

The basement membrane is a thin non-cellular layer that surrounds not only cancerous tumors but also healthy tissues. It serves as the physical support that holds the organs, gives them shape, and provides a pathway for cell migration. Cancer cells must disrupt the integrity of this membrane in order to migrate to another part of the body and form metastases.

To study the properties of the basement membrane surrounding the tumor, the scientists used atomic force microscopy, in which a microscopic probe was applied to a thin membrane. The sample was a cultured culture of breast cancer cells that secrete proteins that form a membrane around tumor spheroids. Liquid was pumped into the spheroids through tiny needles, causing the membrane to inflate, separating from the cells. This made it possible to measure the elasticity of the shell.

The membrane remains elastic as it inflates, but increases its rigidity, which provides some control over tumor growth. This distinguishes the shell from other types of elastic materials, which can burst when inflated, making the tumor even more dangerous.

In future research, scientists want to find new ways to prevent or delay cancer metastasis by increasing the stiffness of the basement membrane.

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