Nat Commun: Extracellular matrix and adaptive adhesion dynamics jointly drive chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer

The biochemical and biomechanical factors derived from the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are critical to the metastasis and treatment resistance of cancer cells

ECM can regulate the morphology, invasion, survival and growth of cancer cells

In this study, the researchers found that cisplatin chemotherapy can increase chemotherapy resistance by gradually changing the internal adhesion signals of cancer cells and the ECM around the cells

HGSCs show strong ECM signals after chemotherapy

In the systematic ECM screening of collagen-based 2D and 3D cell culture models, the researchers confirmed that specific ECM substrates and stiffness are enhanced by FAK and β1 integrin-pMLC-YAP signals to enhance resistance to cisplatin therapy and induce DNA damage Of apoptosis

Increased ECM stiffness protects HGSC cells against cisplatin treatment

All in all, the results of this study identified stroma adhesion as an adaptive response, and the study also revealed the mechanism of ECM pathway targeting stroma and tumors