Tumour heterogeneity promotes collective invasion and cancer metastatic dissemination.

ABSTRACT: Heterogeneity within tumour cell populations is commonly observed in most cancers. However, its impact on metastatic dissemination, one of the primary determinants of the disease prognosis, remains poorly understood. Working with a simplified numerical model of tumour spheroids, we investigated the impact of mechanical heterogeneity on the onset of tumour invasion into surrounding tissues. Our work establishes a positive link between tumour heterogeneity and metastatic dissemination, and recapitulates a number of invasion patterns identified in vivo, such as multicellular finger-like protrusions. Two complementary mechanisms are at play in heterogeneous tumours. A small proportion of stronger cells are able to initiate and lead the escape of cells, while collective effects in the bu

SUBMITTER: Hallou A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5579073 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature