biostudies-literatureUnknown12(3)Shah LUniversity of ManchesterIncreased breast tissue stiffness is correlated with breast cancer risk and invasive cancer progression. However, its role in promoting bone metastasis, a major cause of mortality, is not yet understood. It is previously identified that the composition and stiffness of alginate-based hydrogels mimicking normal (1-2 kPa) and cancerous (6-10 kPa) breast tissue govern phenotype of breast cancer cells (including MDA-MB-231) in vitro. Here, to understand the causal effect of primary tumor stiffness on metastatic potential, a new breast-to-bone in vitro model is described. Together with alginate-gelatin hydrogels to mimic breast tissue, 3D printed biohybrid poly-caprolactone (PCL)-composite scaffolds, decellularized following bone-ECM deposition through Saos-2 engraftment, are used to mimic the Advanced healthcare materialse2201898https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11468571biostudies-literatureInvasion and Secondary Site Colonization as a Function of In Vitro Primary Tumor Matrix Stiffness: Breast to Bone Metastasis.PMC11468571Williams KJShah LMancuso ELatif ATirella AfalseInvasion and Secondary Site Colonization as a Function of In Vitro Primary Tumor Matrix Stiffness: Breast to Bone Metastasis.Increased breast tissue stiffness is correlated with breast cancer risk and invasive cancer progression. However, its role in promoting bone metastasis, a major cause of mortality, is not yet understood. It is previously identified that the composition and stiffness of alginate-based hydrogels mimicking normal (1-2 kPa) and cancerous (6-10 kPa) breast tissue govern phenotype of breast cancer cells (including MDA-MB-231) in vitro. Here, to understand the causal effect of primary tumor stiffness on metastatic potential, a new breast-to-bone in vitro model is described. Together with alginate-gelatin hydrogels to mimic breast tissue, 3D printed biohybrid poly-caprolactone (PCL)-composite scaffolds, decellularized following bone-ECM deposition through Saos-2 engraftment, are used to mimic the 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan2025-04-04T01:16:53.427Z2025-04-04T01:16:53.427ZS-EPMC114685713635173910.1002/adhm.202201898