The sound of Cancer: towards characterisation of elasticity

Tumours, dysplastic tissue, and single cancerous cells exhibit different stiffness (elasticity) compared to their healthy counterparts. These changes arise at the cellular level to the tissue level.

At the single-cell level, elasticity arises from its internal structure/composition and evolves with cell function (reproduction, migration) and disease progression.

At the tissue level, these arise from the extracellular matrix and the interaction and organisation of the individual cells.

Recent technological developments, particularly in phonon-based imaging, have enabled subcellular elasticity mapping with unprecedented detail. Nevertheless, a complete picture of the significance of cell elasticity remains to be assessed.

Differences in elasticity between normal and cancer cells have been reported in several works however, results are contradictory, and little has been reported at the subcellular level. Hence, the relationship between such observations concerning cell function and structure remains unknown.

Our phononic imaging technologies can characterise elasticity with unparalleled resolution and are compatible with endoscopy.

We have applied these to cancer cells and generated a proof of concept methodology that can provide accurate discrimination between normal and cancerous cells based on elasticity at a subcellular level. Our findings remain consistent when tested against different sets of cancer/normal cell lines.

This suggests that the elastic characteristics are common among multiple cell types: and therefore, a potential biomarker of cancer.

We propose to use cell, tissue and fluid elasticity measures as means to (a) understand cancer from a unique perspective and scale with a novel method, and (b) develop our instrumentation towards a in-vivo testing tool. New information is urgently needed in the fight against cancer (diagnostics, prognostics).

The proposed research will reveal novel insights into physically relevant features of cancerous tumours.

Biologists and clinicians will be able to use this new knowledge, and new microscopy tools, to improve models, and better understand the underlying mechanisms for carcinogenesis and metastasis. The developed technology will be also of significant value in many clinical oncology settings.

Phonon imaging through an endoscope can potentially enable in-vivo characterisation of elasticity which can serve as crucial information for diagnosis, prognosis during treatment or surgery.