New research led by Penn State University has uncovered the mechanics behind breast cancer cells' ability to invade healthy tissues, shedding light on the process of metastasis. The study, recently published in the journal Advanced Science, identified the motor protein dynein as the key driver of cancer cell movement in soft tissue models. This discovery opens up new avenues for clinical intervention against metastasis and has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.

The groundbreaking investigation, spearheaded by Erdem Tabdanov, assistant professor of pharmacology at Penn State, marks a paradigm shift in understanding cancer cell motility. Dynein, previously not associated with cancer cell movement, was found to be involved in the mechanical force that drives the spread of cancer cells. By targeting dynein, the researchers believe it may be possible to halt the motility and subsequent dissemination of cancer cells, averting metastasis.

The collaborative study began as a partnership between Penn State's Department of Chemical Engineering and the College of Medicine before expanding to include researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Using live microscopy, the team observed the migration of live breast cancer cells in two different systems that mimicked the human body. In a two-dimensional network of collagen fibers, the researchers discovered that dynein played a vital role in cancer cell movement through the extracellular matrix surrounding tumors. In a three-dimensional model developed by Amir Sheikhi, assistant professor of chemical engineering and biomedical engineering at Penn State, dynein was again found to be essential in the metastasis of cancer cells within soft tissue.

The implications of this research are significant. By blocking dynein, the study showcased that cancer cells became immobile and unable to effectively infiltrate solid tissues. This presents a new approach to cancer management, focusing not on killing the cancer cells but on paralyzing them, thereby preventing their spread. This method could potentially spare healthy tissues and cells, making it a promising alternative to conventional chemotherapy.

Tabdanov explained that cell "paralysis" has the potential to be an effective treatment strategy as it could prevent cancer from spreading after surgical removal of the primary tumor. Unlike chemotherapy, which targets both cancerous and healthy cells and causes significant damage to the body's normal tissue, the immobilization of cancer cells could protect the overall health of the body while containing the cancer.

While the findings hold promise, the researchers acknowledge that any potential clinical treatment is still far off, as human or animal trials have not yet been conducted. However, Sheikhi, who led the development of the three-dimensional model, has filed multiple patents related to the research platform and intends to explore its applications in studying other diseases, including different types of cancers.

The collaboration between Penn State's College of Medicine and the Department of Chemical Engineering is ongoing, with plans for further projects that may contribute to personalized medicine and treatment options for various diseases.

The research paper, titled "Dynein-Powered Cell Locomotion Guides Metastasis of Breast Cancer," was authored by a team of researchers including Yerbol Tagay from the Penn State College of Medicine, Sina Kheirabadi and Zaman Ataie from Penn State's Department of Chemical Engineering, Rakesh Singh from the University of Rochester Medical Center, Denis Tsygankov from Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, and Olivia Prince, Ashley Nguyen, Alexander Zhovmer, and Xuefei Ma from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In conclusion, the research conducted at Penn State University provides valuable insights into the mechanics of breast cancer cell invasion, uncovering the role of dynein in driving cancer cell movement. This breakthrough could pave the way for innovative clinical strategies to combat metastasis and change the landscape of cancer treatment.