Mechanobiological forces in cancer: A biophysical perspective

The field of cancer research increasingly recognizes the pivotal role of mechanobiology in understanding cancer progression and metastasis. The biophysics of cancer mechanobiology integrates principles from physics, biology, and engineering to explore the forces and mechanical interactions that govern cancer cell behavior. Through this lens, researchers seek to unravel how cancer cells sense, adapt to, and manipulate their physical environment, influencing their ability to invade and metastasize. Despite progress in cancer treatment, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanobiological forces at play remains incomplete, calling for deeper investigations into how biophysical principles underpin these processes.



This Research Topic aims to elucidate the biophysical mechanisms underlying cancer mechanobiology. By combining experimental and theoretical approaches, the goal is to investigate how mechanical forces within the tumor microenvironment influence cancer cell growth, differentiation, and metastasis. This involves exploring questions such as: How do biophysical cues from the surrounding matrix impact cancer cell fate? To what extent do mechanical properties of cancer cells correlate with their invasive potential? These questions will help address gaps in our knowledge, advancing the development of targeted cancer therapies that leverage mechanobiological insights.



To gather further insights into the biophysics of cancer mechanobiology, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:



The role of cellular and extracellular mechanics in tumor progression

Mechanisms by which mechanical cues affect cancer cell signaling and gene expression

Biophysical models of cancer cell invasion and metastasis under varying force conditions

The impact of mechanical heterogeneity within tumors on therapeutic response

Advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques for assessing mechanobiological properties in cancer

We encourage contributions in the form of original research articles, reviews, and case studies to broaden our understanding of this promising interdisciplinary field.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Mechanobiology, tumor microenvironment, cellular and extracellular mechanics, mechanotransduction and signaling, cancer cell invasion and metastasis, mechanical heterogeneity, biophysical modeling and imaging

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.