Mechanotransduction in Cancer Progression and Immune Response

Mechanotransduction—the process through which cells sense and convert mechanical cues into biochemical signals—has emerged as a key regulator of cancer progression and immune dynamics. Mechanical forces at the cellular and tissue levels impact tumor growth, metastasis, immune cell infiltration, and therapeutic response. Recent breakthroughs in experimental techniques now allow us to interrogate these biomechanical interactions more precisely than ever before.



This Research Topic places special emphasis on the analysis of immune cell migration behavior in the presence of tumors or as a function of tissue stiffness. Understanding how mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment, such as extracellular matrix stiffening, influence immune cell motility and infiltration is critical for unraveling cancer–immune system interactions and uncovering new therapeutic opportunities.



We invite original research and reviews covering, but not limited to:



Cell-generated forces and cytoskeletal remodeling in cancer invasion and metastasis

Mechanosensitive pathways in cancer and immune cells

Biomechanical interplay between tumor cells and the immune system

Mechanical regulation of immune cell migration and infiltration in response to tumor-derived cues or varying tissue stiffness

Mechanical regulation of immune activation, surveillance, and anti-tumor responses

Innovations in experimental tools (live-cell imaging, force microscopy, bioMEMS)

Translational research bridging mechanobiology and clinical oncology

Studies dissecting how the mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment influence immune cell behavior—especially migration and infiltration—are particularly encouraged.

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
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... 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
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Mechanotransduction, Cancer metastasis, Tumor microenvironment, Cell migration, Immune activation, Cytoskeleton, Biomechanics, BioMEMS, Experimental oncology

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.