Wenn Melanomkrebszellen durch Kanäle gezwungen werden, die enger sind als 10 Mikrometer, verhalten sie sich eher wie Stammzellen und gewinnen Merkmale, die ihnen helfen könnten, zu überleben, zu verbreiten und neue Tumoren zu bilden

Hi r/science, sharing [this study](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63374-6) that’s been co-authored by our researcher, Professor Kris Kilian.

The study showed that when human melanoma cancer cells are forced through channels narrower than 10 micrometres, they gain traits that could help them survive, spread, and form new tumours.

The finding supports a theory long held by medical researchers that the mechanical pressure of narrow blood vessels might make cancer cells more aggressive.

For the study, the researchers made a device that mimics the way blood travels around the human body through progressively narrower channels simulating the tiny capillaries that are present in many tissues – giving us [this interesting gif](https://imgur.com/a/BTpSDKG) of a melanoma cell passing through a narrow channel in a microfluidic device.