The tumor microenvironment is a complex milieu that dictates the growth, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. Both cancer and stromal cells in the tumor tissue encounter and adapt to a variety of extracellular factors, and subsequently contribute and drive the progression of the disease to more advanced stages. As the disease progresses, a small population of cancer cells becomes more invasive through a complex process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and nearby stromal cells assume a carcinoma associated fibroblast phenotype characterized by enhanced migration, cell contractility, and matrix secretion with the ability to reorganize extracellular matrices. As cells transition into more malignant phenotypes their biophysical properties, controlled by the organization of cytoskeletal proteins, are altered. Actin and its associated proteins are essential modulators and facilitators of these changes. As the cells respond to the cues in the microenvironment, actin driven mechanical forces inside and outside the cells also evolve. Recent advances in biophysical techniques have enabled us to probe these actin driven changes in cancer and stromal cells and demarcate their role in driving changes in the microenvironment. Understanding the underlying biophysical mechanisms that drive cancer progression could provide critical insight on novel therapeutic approaches in the fight against cancer.

肿瘤微环境是一个复杂的环境，它决定了癌细胞的生长、侵袭和转移。肿瘤组织中的癌细胞和基质细胞都会遇到并适应各种细胞外因素，随后促进并推动疾病进展到更晚期阶段。随着疾病的进展，一小部分癌细胞通过称为上皮-间质转化的复杂过程变得更具侵袭性，并且附近的基质细胞呈现出与癌相关的成纤维细胞表型，其特征在于增强的迁移、细胞收缩性和基质分泌能力重组细胞外基质。随着细胞转变为更恶性的表型，它们受细胞骨架蛋白组织控制的生物物理特性发生了改变。肌动蛋白及其相关蛋白是这些变化的重要调节剂和促进剂。随着细胞对微环境中的线索做出反应，细胞内外的肌动蛋白驱动的机械力也会进化。生物物理技术的最新进展使我们能够探测癌症和基质细胞中这些肌动蛋白驱动的变化，并界定它们在驱动微环境变化中的作用。了解驱动癌症进展的潜在生物物理机制可以为抗击癌症的新治疗方法提供重要的见解。生物物理技术的最新进展使我们能够探测癌症和基质细胞中这些肌动蛋白驱动的变化，并界定它们在驱动微环境变化中的作用。了解驱动癌症进展的潜在生物物理机制可以为抗击癌症的新治疗方法提供重要的见解。生物物理技术的最新进展使我们能够探测癌症和基质细胞中这些肌动蛋白驱动的变化，并界定它们在驱动微环境变化中的作用。了解驱动癌症进展的潜在生物物理机制可以为抗击癌症的新治疗方法提供重要的见解。