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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2019 Apr 1.
Published in final edited form as: Trends Cancer. 2018 Mar 12;4(4):268–271. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2018.02.006

Figure 1. Biophysical cues: interrogating, detecting and treating cancer and metastasis.

Figure 1

As cancer develops, the surrounding microenvironment undergoes biophysical changes which promote tumor proliferation and invasion, creating a feedback loop of cancer growth and metastasis. The unique biophysical properties of the tumor microenvironment present potential targets in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Abbreviation: ECM, extracellular matrix; FA, focal adhesion; LOX, lysyl oxidase; TIMPs, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase; MRCS, mechano-responsive cell system; AFM, atomic force microscopy.