Introduction: Mechanical force is attributed to the formation of tumor blood vessels, influences cancer cell invasion and metastasis, and promotes reprogramming of the energy metabolism. Currently, therapy strategies for the tumor microenvironment are being developed progressively. The purpose of this article is to discuss the molecular mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of mechanical force in urinary tract cancers and outline the medications used in the mechanical microenvironment.
Areas covered: This review covers the complex mechanical elements in the microenvironment of urinary system malignancies, focusing on mechanical molecular mechanisms for diagnosis and treatment.
Expert opinion: The classification of various mechanical forces, such as matrix stiffness, shear force, and other forces, is relatively straightforward. However, little is known about the molecular process of mechanical forces in urinary tract malignancies. Because mechanical therapy is still controversial, it is critical to understand the molecular basis of mechanical force before adding mechanical therapy solutions.
Keywords: Matrix stiffness; YAP/TAZ; biomarkers; bladder cancer; prostate cancer; renal cancer.