Mechanical Stress-Induced Autophagy: A Key Player in Cancer Metastasis

Abstract

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The tumor microenvironment per se is a key player regulating the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Cancer cells residing in the tumor microenvironment as well as in transit during metastasis are exposed to various chemical and mechanical cues which contribute to their invasiveness. A plethora of studies since the last decade has shed light on the role of physical forces in tumor initiation and progression, iteratively underscoring the importance of cellular mechanobiology in the context of cancer. One of the emerging mechanobiological phenomena observed in cancer cells is autophagy. This chapter accounts for the various mechanical stimuli experienced by cancer cells in vivo and highlights the importance of mechanically-induced autophagy in the tumor milieu.