Influence of matrix stiffness on tumor angiogenesis in breast cancer

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Annika Kengelbach-Weigand
• Subject Area: Gynaecology and Obstetrics ; Hematology, Oncology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 512302556

The aim of the project is to investigate the influence of the stiffness of the tumor microenvironment on the behavior and tumorigenicity of breast cancer cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells. Depending on the stage of the tumor as single cells or in later stages with larger cell clusters, the stiffness and thus the microenvironment of the tumor changes. Within this project, it will be analyzed whether, and to what extent the stiffness of the extracellular matrix can influence tumor progression and vascularization. These effects on tumor growth and vascularization and underlying mechanisms should first be studied in vitro using 2D and 3D biofabricated co-culture tumor models. The biofabricated 3D vascular model is used as a therapy model to investigate the influence of stiffness on cancer drugs. In the following in vivo part, the findings will be evaluated in a vascularization model (arteriovenous loop model) in the rat in order to analyze tumor progression, neovascularization and metastasis over a longer time period. In future, these results could contribute to decipher novel approaches for tumor therapies in which the tumor microenvironment represents a potential target for new drugs.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants