Cell Migration in Cancer: Cell Migration in 2D and 3D

The migration and invasion of cancer cells are central to metastatic disease, the main cause of death in cancer patients. One of the hallmarks of cancer is that tumour cells can leave the original tumour, migrate and invade distant tissues. Tumour cells can migrate via several different mechanisms. Solid epithelial-derived tumours initially disseminate via the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. This allows cells to acquire a mesenchymal phenotype and leave the original tumour via mesenchymal migration. Another mode of migration is amoeboid migration and diffuse tumours, e.g. high-grade gliomas, are thought to be able to switch between the two pathways. This is known as mesenchymal–amoeboid transition (MAT). Finally, groups or sheets of cells can migrate collectively, and the cells cooperate as a unit to migrate. This is known as collective cell migration. In vitro two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models are routinely used as systems for investigating cell migration in cancer. This chapter will also explore the different mechanisms by which cancer cells can migrate and how using 2D and 3D supports these investigations.