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0Researchers have developed a cutting-edge Multi-organ Invasion Device (MInD) to investigate why cancer rarely spreads to the ventricular myocardium. This organ-on-a-chip platform utilizes 3D-printed PermeoTubes made from granular polymers to simulate the complex, porous structure of the human extracellular matrix. Experiments comparing cardiac and hepatic tissues revealed that breast cancer cells actively avoid the heart while aggressively invading the liver. Sophisticated cytokine profiling and RNA sequencing indicate that the cardiac environment suppresses metastasis by enhancing immune visibility and promoting cell-to-substrate adhesion. Specifically, the study identified the enzyme ADAMTS9 as a potential mediator that strengthens cancer cell attachment, thereby preventing migration. These findings provide a new biomimetic framework for discovering therapies that could replicate the heart's natural resistance to secondary tumors.
References:
Shakeri A, Abdo D, Lei M H C, et al. In vitro multi-organ invasion model for exploring cardiac resistance to cancer metastasis[J]. Nature Communications, 2026.
