Deformation-driven, lethal damage to cancer cells. Its contribution to metastatic inefficiency.
Direct and indirect, in vivo and in vitro observations are in accord with the hypothesis that as a consequence of their deformation within capillaries, cancer cells undergo sphere-to-cylinder shape-transformations that create a demand for increased surface area. When this demand cannot be met by apparent increases in surface area accomplished by nonlethal, surface "unfolding," the cell surface membrane is stretched; if expansion results in more than a 4% increase in true surface area, the membrane ruptures, resulting in cancer cell death. It is suggested that this deformation-driven process is an important factor in accounting for the rapid death of circulating cancer cells that have been trapped in the microvasculature. Therefore, this mechanism is thought to make a significant contribution to metastatic inefficiency by acting as a potent rate-regulator for hematogenous metastasis.
Weiss
L
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Department of Experimental Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY.
D000818:Animals; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008833:Microcirculation; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D012513:Sarcoma, Experimental / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000473:pathology