Fuel, form, and memory: The motility-driven journey of cancer cells

Abstract

Tumor progression is a complex, multi-stage process that involves tumor formation, cancer cell invasion, metastasis, and colonization of distant sites. Each stage is driven in part by cell motility and interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment. In this review, we describe how cell motility contributes to each stage of cancer progression, with a focus on cell metabolism, nuclear mechanics, and mechanical memory. Throughout, we highlight the mechanisms used by cancer cells to move and adapt during the metastatic cascade. Understanding how cancer cells migrate can provide valuable insights into novel approaches to disrupt metastasis and improve outcomes of cancer treatments.