Mechanical signature of cancer cells: From cytoskeletal alterations to cell rheology

The continued rise in cancer-related deaths suggests that the precise nature of the disease remains poorly understood. In the field of cellular mechanics, researchers have identified mechanobiological aspects of cancer cells by examining the link between their physical and molecular properties and functions, thereby revealing some of their previously unknown characteristics. Therefore, expanding scientific insight in this area may deepen our understanding of genetic and mechanical interactions and clarify the functional mechanisms at both the cellular and subcellular levels. Accordingly, in this review, we first evaluated the cytoskeletal filaments and their structural dynamics from a mechanobiological perspective. Then, the characteristics of the mechanical behavior of cells were discussed, and the potential correlations between the mechanical and rheological properties of normal and cancer cells, alongside alterations in their genetic components, were highlighted. Subsequently, we reviewed the simulationary capabilities of existing in vitro methods for estimating the biomechanical properties of cells. Finally, by outlining the challenges and opportunities associated with this approach, we aimed to present a clearer picture of its potential in practice. We believe that this study, by providing a comprehensive overview of various mechanobiological aspects of cancer at the cellular and subcellular levels, can help researchers in developing bioengineering-based in vitro platforms to decipher the unknown traits of cancer cells, paving the way for novel diagnostic biomarkers and mechano-targeted therapies.