Cancer cells can be conceived as “living organisms” interacting with cellular or non‐cellular
components in the host internal environment, not only the local tumor microenvironment but …

Disease progression is usually accompanied by changes in the biochemical composition of
cells and tissues and their biophysical properties. For instance, hallmarks of cancer include …

Metastasis frequently develops from disseminated cancer cells that remain dormant after the
apparently successful treatment of a primary tumour. These cells fluctuate between an …

The often immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) may hinder immune evasion
and response to checkpoint blockade therapies. Pharmacological activation of the STING …

Malignant transformation and tumour progression are associated with cancer-cell softening.
Yet how the biomechanics of cancer cells affects T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity and thus the …

Immune responses are governed by signals from the tissue microenvironment, and in
addition to biochemical signals, mechanical cues and forces arising from the tissue, its …

The 3D architecture of tissues bearing tumors impacts on the mechanical microenvironment
of cancer, the accessibility of stromal cells, and the routes of invasion. A myriad of intrinsic …

Cytotoxic lymphocytes fight pathogens and cancer by forming immune synapses with
infected or transformed target cells and then secreting cytotoxic perforin and granzyme into …

Extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity serves as a crucial mechanical cue impacting diverse
biological processes. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms of rigidity sensing …

Cytotoxic lymphocytes are critical in our immune defence against cancer and infection.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells can directly lyse malignant or infected cells …