Viscoelastic properties of human pancreatic tumors and in vitro constructs to mimic mechanical properties.

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is almost universally fatal, in large part due to a protective fibrotic barrier generated by tumor-associated stromal (TAS) cells. This barrier is thought to promote cancer cell survival and confounds attempts to develop effective therapies. We present a 3D in vitro system that replicates the mechanical properties of the PDAC microenvironment, representing an invaluable tool for understanding the biology of the disease. Mesoscale indentation quantified viscoelastic metrics of resected malignant tumors, inflamed chronic pancreatitis regions, and histologically normal tissue. Both pancreatitis (2.15?±?0.41?kPa, Mean?±?SD) and tumors (5.46?±?3.18?kPa) exhibit higher Steady-State Modulus (SSM) than normal tissue (1.06?±?0.25?kPa; p?

SUBMITTER: Rubiano A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5797706 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature