Computational modeling predicts mechanical strain in early lung tumors

What is it about?

This work describes a first in computational modeling of lung tumors. The model simulates tumor architecture under the stretch of respiration and predicts strain amplification at the tumor edge. The model also shows that strain can generate tracks of thickened or fibrotic tissue that serve as conduits for cancer cell spread. Such tracks are observed in early human and mouse model lung tumors, suggesting that these mechanical signals are relevant to early lung cancer progression.

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Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash

Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash

Why is it important?

New lung cancer screening efforts aim to catch and treat patients at the earliest stages of disease. However, we have relatively little information on the biology of these early lesions. This study brings the field of biomechanics to cancer biology and a new way of thinking about early tumorigenesis. The computational modeling shows that early growths alter how strain is distributed throughout the lung.

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