Fig. 5.

The matrix’s stiffness as a platform for targeted therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells that have a mechanosensitive promoter- driven -based vectors (MSCs) are used to develop a mechanoresponsive cell system (MRCS). In response to increased matrix stiffness, engineered MSCs, selectively home to and target cancer metastases. In stiff ECM, YAP of MRCS localizes to the nucleus, and cytosine deaminase (CD) is expressed. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), CD converts the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) to the active drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which leads to the death of cancer cells. In soft ECM, MSC YAP localizes to the cytoplasm and inhibits CD transcription