Biomechanics of cancer cells

Abstract The mechanical properties of cancer cells differ from that of healthy cells, and include changes in viscoelasticity, force generation, and mechanosensing, which are associated with invasive behaviors such as cell migration during metastasis. These attributes emerge from changes in the cytoskeleton and its dynamic behavior and composition. A multitude of analysis techniques are commonly used to assess these mechanical attributes and provide a wealth of information that is used to compare cancer cells with healthy cells or correlate mechanical properties with malignant properties such as invasiveness. Each technique is able to measure specific aspects of cell mechanics, and therefore when used in combination, provide a detailed understanding of the forces underlying cancer development and progression. This chapter details the wide range of techniques that have been used in the field of cancer cell mechanics and the conclusions that these studies have reached.