Cancer remains one of the most complex challenges in modern medicine, and metastasis—the process by which cancer cells break away from a primary tumour and establish new growths elsewhere in the body—is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths worldwide. A team of researchers at The University of Western Australia has developed a novel three-dimensional biomaterial that is shedding new light on this deadly process, offering scientists a powerful tool to study how cancer cells navigate their physical surroundings and, ultimately, how that movement might be halted.
This breakthrough in cancer research comes at a critical time. While treatments targeting the genetic and chemical drivers of cancer have advanced considerably in recent decades, the physical mechanics of how cancer cells physically migrate through body tissue has remained far less understood. The work being carried out in Australia is helping to close that gap.
Why Metastasis Remains the Deadliest Phase of Cancer
Metastasis is not a single event but a multi-step process. Cancer cells must first detach from the primary tumour, invade surrounding tissue, enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, survive circulation, and then colonise a new site. Each step presents enormous biological hurdles, yet cancer cells that succeed in completing this journey are responsible for approximately 90% of cancer-related mortality.
Despite its clinical significance, metastasis is extraordinarily difficult to study in a laboratory setting. Traditional two-dimensional cell cultures fail to replicate the complex, three-dimensional architecture of human tissue. Animal models, while useful, do not always translate accurately to human biology. This is precisely the problem that researchers at The University of Western Australia set out to address.
Associate Professor Yu Suk Choi and Dr Danielle Vahala, both from UWA’s School of Human Sciences, led the development of a three-dimensional microgel designed to mimic the physical environment surrounding tumours more faithfully than any existing laboratory model. Their findings, published in the journal Advanced Science, are already prompting researchers to reconsider what drives cancer cell movement.
For readers who want to explore how institutions in Australia are advancing medical research and training the next generation of scientists, explore the range of health and medical science programs available at The University of Western Australia.
A Three-Dimensional Model That Mimics the Tumour Microenvironment
At the heart of this cancer research is a simple but powerful insight: cancer cells do not operate in isolation. They are embedded within a surrounding matrix of tissues and proteins that changes over time. As a tumour grows, this environment becomes stiffer and develops small channels and spaces between fibres—pathways that cancer cells can exploit to move through the body.
Studying this process in the laboratory has historically been problematic because changing the stiffness of a culture material also changes the size of the gaps between cells, making it nearly impossible to isolate one variable from the other. The UWA team solved this by developing a granular hydrogel—a jam-like material composed of microscopic gel particles—that allows researchers to control stiffness and pore size independently.
How the Microgel Works
The microgel functions as a scaffold that closely resembles the physical structure of a tumour’s surrounding tissue. Researchers can adjust the material’s mechanical properties without altering its internal architecture, giving them unprecedented control over the conditions in which cancer cells are observed. This means scientists can now ask precise questions: Does a stiffer environment make cancer cells move faster? Does the size of the spaces between fibres determine whether a cell can migrate at all?
Using this model, the research team tracked the behaviour of breast and pancreatic cancer cells in environments with varying levels of stiffness and available space. The results were revealing.
Key Findings: Physical Conditions Drive Cancer Cell Movement
The study produced several important findings that deepen our understanding of metastasis:
- Aggressive cancer cells are highly sensitive to physical conditions. The most invasive cells responded strongly to changes in stiffness and pore size, moving more readily through stiffer, more confined environments.
- Less aggressive cells can become mobile under the right circumstances. Perhaps most surprisingly, the researchers found that cancer cells not typically considered invasive could begin to migrate when they detached from neighbouring cells and entered small spaces in the surrounding tissue. This movement increased further when the environment was stiffer.
- Physical environment matters as much as genetics. The findings confirm that genetic mutations and chemical signals are not the sole drivers of cancer spread. The mechanical properties of the tissue surrounding a tumour play a major role in determining whether cells stay in place or begin to move.
These discoveries carry significant implications. If even non-aggressive cancer cells can be triggered to migrate under specific physical conditions, then targeting the physical environment itself—not just the cells—could become a viable strategy for preventing metastasis before it starts.
For those interested in supporting or following the progress of cancer research in Australia, learn more about the research strengths and ongoing projects at The University of Western Australia.
What This Means for Future Cancer Treatments
The ability to observe cancer cells responding to controlled physical conditions in real time opens several promising avenues for therapeutic development.
Targeting the Tumour Microenvironment
One potential application involves drugs that alter the mechanical properties of tissue surrounding a tumour. If stiffening promotes cancer cell migration, therapies that soften the tumour microenvironment could reduce the likelihood of metastasis. This approach would complement existing treatments rather than replace them, offering a multi-pronged strategy against cancer spread.
Improved Drug Screening
The three-dimensional microgel also provides a more realistic platform for testing new cancer therapies. Drugs that appear promising in flat, two-dimensional cultures often fail in clinical trials because they do not account for the physical complexity of real tumours. A model that better replicates the tumour microenvironment could improve the accuracy of preclinical drug screening, reducing the time and cost of bringing effective treatments to patients.
Applications Beyond Cancer
Associate Professor Choi has noted that the model could have applications well beyond cancer research. Tissue repair, wound healing, fibrosis, and other conditions involving cell movement through complex environments could all benefit from this technology. The granular hydrogel essentially provides a versatile platform for studying any biological process in which cells interact with their physical surroundings.
For students and early-career researchers considering a future in biomedical science, find out how to apply for research and coursework programs at The University of Western Australia and take the first step toward contributing to discoveries like these.
A Collaborative Effort in Australian and International Cancer Research
This research was not conducted in isolation. It represented a collaboration between multiple schools at The University of Western Australia—including the School of Human Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the UWA Medical School—as well as BRITElab at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, led by Professor Brendan Kennedy. International partners included researchers from the University of Sydney in Australia, Yonsei University in the Republic of Korea, and Soonchunhyang University, also in the Republic of Korea.
This collaborative approach reflects a broader trend in modern cancer research. The complexity of metastasis demands expertise from multiple disciplines—cell biology, materials science, engineering, and clinical medicine. Institutions that foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, such as those involved in this study, are increasingly producing the kinds of breakthroughs that translate into real clinical impact.
The Role of Australian Universities in Global Medical Research
Australia has established itself as a significant contributor to global medical research, and The University of Western Australia is a key part of that landscape. As a member of the Group of Eight, UWA has built a reputation for research excellence across health and medicine, engineering, and the sciences. Studies like this one reinforce the value of sustained investment in university-based research, where fundamental discoveries can lay the groundwork for future clinical applications.
Looking Ahead: From Laboratory Model to Clinical Impact
The journey from a laboratory discovery to a bedside treatment is long and challenging. However, the development of this three-dimensional microgel represents a meaningful step forward. By providing researchers with a tool that more accurately reflects the conditions inside real tumours, the model helps reduce the gap between laboratory findings and clinical reality—historically one of the biggest obstacles in translating cancer research into effective therapies.
The next phase of this work will likely involve refining the model further, testing it with a broader range of cancer types, and exploring how its insights might inform the design of new anti-metastatic therapies. There is also potential to combine the physical model with genetic and pharmacological screening, creating a comprehensive platform for understanding and disrupting the metastatic process at multiple levels simultaneously.
For patients, families, and clinicians, the promise of research like this lies in its potential to shift the focus from treating metastatic disease after it occurs to preventing it altogether. That shift could fundamentally change outcomes for millions of people worldwide.
Stay Informed About Advances in Cancer Research
Progress in understanding metastasis depends on continued research, collaboration, and public engagement. Whether you are a student considering a career in medical science, a professional working in healthcare, or simply someone who wants to stay informed about developments in cancer treatment, following the work of research institutions like The University of Western Australia is a valuable way to stay connected to cutting-edge science.
Have questions or thoughts about this research? Share them in the comments below. If you found this article informative, consider sharing it with others who may benefit from understanding how cancer research is evolving. And for those ready to take a more active role, visit the research portal at The University of Western Australia to discover how you can get involved—whether through study, collaboration, or philanthropic support of medical research in Australia.
