The Impact of Anti-tumor Agents on ER-Positive MCF-7 and HER2-Positive SKBR-3 Breast Cancer Cells Biomechanics.

Studying human cancer from a biomechanical perspective may contribute to pathogenesis understanding which leads to the malignancy. In this study, biomechanics of suspended and adhered breast cancer cells were investigated via the micropipette aspiration method with special emphasis on comparing the cell stiffness and viscoelastic parameters of estrogen receptor positive, ER+, MCF-7 and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive, HER2 +, SKBR-3 cancer cell lines prior to and post treatment with tamoxifen and trastuzumab, respectively. Alterations of mechanical parameters included significant increase in cell stiffness, especially after treatment with trastuzumab and changes in viscoelastic parameters, in both cancer cell lines post treatment.

The inhibition of aromatase alters the mechanical and rheological properties of non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines affecting cell migration.

Tumor invasion and metastasis are key aspects of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). During migration, cells undergo mechanical alterations. The mechanical phenotype of breast cancer cells is correlated with aromatase gene expression.