Role of cell contractility in mesothelioma progression

Human malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a tumor with high mortality. We recently found evidence in cell culture experiments that formation of tumor nodules is driven by cell contractility, instead of increased proliferation. These preliminary observations opened up intriguing possibilities, most importantly improvement in drug delivery by controlling cell contractility. The overall objective of this application is to critically explore these possibilities, and (i) to identify the roles of cell contractility and mechanosensing in MPM progression, (ii) to identify synergistic effects between myosin inhibitors and conventional chemotherapy agents, and (iii) to establish a computational model of the multicellular contraction-driven tumor progression.

No additional funding sources recorded.