Scientists have discovered that restoring cellular vibration in vocal cord tissues may reduce the aggressiveness of advanced laryngeal cancer. For the first time, researchers observed that exposing cancer cells to sound-wave vibrations can lower the activity of a key protein that promotes tumour growth.
The findings offer new insights into how the physical environment of cells influences cancer behaviour and may open new possibilities for targeted therapies.
Laryngeal Cancer and Its Impact on Vocal Cord Movement
Laryngeal Cancer is among the most common malignant tumours affecting the head and neck region. In most cases, the disease begins in the vocal cords, making hoarseness one of its earliest and most noticeable symptoms.
As the cancer progresses, the constant movement of the vocal cords gradually decreases. This happens because the tissue becomes stiffer and the tumour begins invading surrounding structures, eventually weakening and restricting vocal cord vibrations.
The most significant risk factors include smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, advanced stages of the disease often have a poor prognosis, and targeted drug therapies remain limited.
Exploring the Role of Tissue Stiffness in Cancer Progression
Researchers have long known that increased tissue stiffness can promote cancer malignancy in non-moving tissues such as those affected by Breast Cancer, Liver Cancer, and Pancreatic Cancer. Cells can detect and respond to mechanical signals from their surrounding environment, influencing how tumours grow and spread.
However, scientists had not previously studied these biomechanical processes in tissues that move continuously, such as the vocal cords.
Johanna Ivaska, Director of the BarrierForce Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Finland, explained the motivation behind the research.
Researchers wondered whether “movement could be medicine” and whether tissue stiffening and immobilisation might contribute to cancer development.
To investigate this idea, Ivaska collaborated with Sara Wickström and her research group.
Simulating Vocal Cord Movement in the Laboratory
As per the press release, the research team developed a specialised experimental setup using a bioreactor. In this system, cells were grown on a vibrating membrane placed above a loudspeaker, allowing scientists to mimic the natural vibrations of vocal cords.
The study involved researchers from both the BarrierForce Centre of Excellence and the InFLAMES Research Flagship.
The project’s lead author, Jasmin Kaivola, who recently completed her doctoral degree at the University of Turku in Finland, introduced an innovative idea: connecting an old mobile phone to the device to play sounds and music during the experiments.
This creative approach allowed researchers to test how sound-induced vibrations affect cancer cells.
Vibrations Reduce Cancer Cell Aggressiveness
The results confirmed the researchers’ hypothesis. When cancer cells experienced vibrations similar to those produced by moving vocal cords, their malignancy decreased.
One major change involved the reduction of a cancer-promoting protein known as YAP. Lower activity of this protein is associated with reduced tumour growth and aggressiveness.
To validate their findings, researchers analysed tissue samples from approximately 200 Finnish patients with both early-stage and advanced laryngeal cancer. They found that higher levels of proteins responsible for tissue stiffening increased YAP activity and were linked to higher mortality rates.
Furthermore, experimental cancer models showed that the disease responded to a targeted drug currently under development that inhibits YAP protein activity.
Groundbreaking Insights Into Cancer Biomechanics
According to Jasmin Kaivola, the study is particularly significant because scientists have rarely examined the biomechanics of cancer development in moving tissues.
She also suggested that the mechanism identified in this research could potentially apply to other cancers occurring in moving organs, such as Lung Cancer.
Researchers believe these findings may encourage drug developers to investigate whether therapies targeting YAP activity could benefit patients with difficult-to-treat laryngeal cancer.
International Collaboration Drives the Research
The study was published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Materials.
Most of the research took place at the Turku Bioscience Centre in Finland within the laboratory of Johanna Ivaska. The project also involved clinicians from the University of Turku and University of Helsinki hospitals, who specialise in treating oral cancers.
In addition, soft matter physicists from the University of Vienna and the University of Milan contributed to the research.
The InFLAMES Research Flagship, a joint initiative of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, aims to identify new drug targets and accelerate drug development through collaboration with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Through such interdisciplinary efforts, researchers hope to develop more precise diagnostics and personalised targeted therapies for cancer patients in the future.