Mitotic arrest affects clustering of tumor cells

Abstract Background Cancer cell aggregation is a key process involved in the formation of tumor clusters. It has recently been shown that clusters circulating cells (CTCs) have an increased metastatic potential compared to isolated cells. Several widely used chemotherapeutic agents target cytoskeleton microtubules and cause cycle arrest at mitosis reported modulate CTC number or size Results In this study, we investigated vitro impact mitotic on ability breast form By using live imaging quantitative image analysis, found MCF-7 cancer compromised upon incubation with paclitaxel vinorelbine, two drugs microtubules. line these results, observed experimentally synchronized blocked metaphase aggregated poorly formed loose To monitor clustering single-cell scale, next developed validated assay based video-microscopy custom-designed micro-devices. The study cluster from express fluorescent marker LifeAct-mCherry new allowed showing substrate anchorage-independent was associated actin-dependent highly dynamic protrusions. Metaphase-synchronized did not display such protrusions, very failed compact. Conclusions Altogether, our results suggest induced by microtubule-targeting anticancer prevents therefore, could reduce