Issue 6, 2024

Understanding organotropism in cancer metastasis using microphysiological systems

Abstract

Cancer metastasis, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, remains a complex challenge in medical science. Stephen Paget's “seed and soil theory” introduced the concept of organotropism, suggesting that metastatic success depends on specific organ microenvironments. Understanding organotropism not only offers potential for curbing metastasis but also novel treatment strategies. Microphysiological systems (MPS), especially organ-on-a-chip models, have emerged as transformative tools in this quest. These systems, blending microfluidics, biology, and engineering, grant precise control over cell interactions within organ-specific microenvironments. MPS enable real-time monitoring, morphological analysis, and protein quantification, enhancing our comprehension of cancer dynamics, including tumor migration, vascularization, and pre-metastatic niches. In this review, we explore innovative applications of MPS in investigating cancer metastasis, particularly focusing on organotropism. This interdisciplinary approach converges the field of science, engineering, and medicine, thereby illuminating a path toward groundbreaking discoveries in cancer research.

Graphical abstract: Understanding organotropism in cancer metastasis using microphysiological systems

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
17 okt 2023
Accepted
28 dec 2023
First published
09 jan 2024

Lab Chip, 2024,24, 1542-1556

Understanding organotropism in cancer metastasis using microphysiological systems

J. Ko, J. Song, Y. Lee, N. Choi and H. N. Kim, Lab Chip, 2024, 24, 1542 DOI: 10.1039/D3LC00889D

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