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, researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of oncological sciences at the (the U) and , professor of biomedical engineering and faculty member in the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute at the U, are the recipients of a from the (NIH) to research how tension in lung tissue affects the growth and distribution of tumors. This innovative approach could uncover new mechanisms for understanding how lung cancer develops.
The study examines the role of 鈥攁n emerging field that explores how cells respond to mechanical signals鈥攊n the progression of early benign lesions to . According to the American Cancer Society, adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer.
鈥淭here are a lot of people looking at the stiffness of breast tissue or other material properties and other types of cancers, but not so much in the lung. And it's interesting, because the lung is always undergoing stretch as we breathe in and out. There's not a lot of tissues that have that characteristic.鈥
Michelle Mendoza, PhD
The researchers simulated how the presence of a solid tumor fills and affects , where lungs and blood exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide, using computational models developed in Weiss鈥檚 lab.
They observed that the connective tissues making up the walls of the sacs are sensitive to strain鈥攚hich may produce a cellular response that allows the tumor to grow.
鈥淚t's a new hypothesis about something that's contributing to the early tumor cells progressing to malignancy, which other people haven't looked at,鈥 says Mendoza. 鈥淎nd it would be a really interesting discovery if it's contributing to tumor development鈥攂ecause strain could be affected by things in our environment that cause lung damage or scarring.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 gratifying for me that at this point in my career, I can still do different and new things that are interesting to me. I鈥檓 pleased to see that the tools that I鈥檝e developed over my career are useful in this context, as well.鈥
Jeffrey Weiss, PhD
Weiss has worked in biomechanics for decades, particularly in musculoskeletal science and cardiovascular mechanics.
The NIH grant allows Mendoza and Weiss to conduct their research experimentally by testing the effects directly in tissue and also develop more advanced computer models.
The $2.6 million grant will be distributed over the next five years. Mendoza and Weiss hope the study will lead to further explorations of mechanobiology, as well as the development of to reduce lung cancer mortality.
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About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to advance cancer treatments of the future beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.