Physical traits of cancer

Abstract

Physical traits of cancer The biological and physical properties of tumors contribute to their growth and to treatment outcome. Although intense research efforts have helped to delineate cancer biology, the physics of cancer has only emerged in relatively recent times as a key area of research. Nia et al. reviewed the physical features that are common to tumors and that limit successful treatment: solid stresses, interstitial fluid pressure, stiffness (rigidity), and architecture and organization of tumor constituents. The authors provide a conceptual framework and discuss the origins of these distinct physical traits of cancer and how they enable and synergize with aberrant cancer biology to fuel cancer initiation, progression, immune evasion, and treatment resistance. Science , this issue p. eaaz0868