In the quest to unravel the complexities of cancer metastasis, a pivotal challenge has been the recreation of the precise conditions that cancer cells endure as they circulate through the bloodstream. Metastasis—the process by which cancer spreads from its original site to distant organs—remains one of the most lethal and least understood stages of cancer progression. Researchers at Rice University have now developed an innovative platform, called the Advanced Tumor Landscape Analysis System (ATLAS), which efficiently cultivates three-dimensional clusters of cancer cells that mimic those responsible for metastasis. This breakthrough was reported in a study recently published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, spearheaded by Alexandria Carter, a doctoral student working in the lab of Michael King, Rice’s E.D. Butcher Professor of Bioengineering.
ATLAS addresses a fundamental roadblock in metastasis research by enabling the generation of abundant cancer cell clusters under laboratory conditions that closely simulate the tumor microenvironment and circulatory system. Traditional methods often struggle with scalability, reproducibility, and faithfully replicating the mechanical and biological stresses experienced by metastatic clusters in vivo. The Rice team’s system stands apart by employing superhydrophobic surfaces, a concept inspired by natural water-repellent materials like lotus leaves. These surfaces cause liquid droplets containing cancer cells to form bead-like shapes rather than spread, promoting the aggregation of cells into three-dimensional clusters that retain critical physiological characteristics.
The underlying technology uses 3D-printed microwell arrays coated with nanoscale roughness and nonwetting substances such as Teflon to achieve superhydrophobicity. This design mimics natural water-repelling textures on a nanoscale and enables widespread scalability—a first in tissue engineering. This approach reduces time and cost significantly compared to prior superhydrophobic culture techniques, which relied on more labor-intensive fabrication methods. “Our use of 3D printing to form these specialized surfaces introduces a level of accessibility and reproducibility that could democratize this platform for laboratories globally,” Carter explained.
The ability to form large quantities of homogeneous cancer cell clusters is crucial when investigating the biophysical and biological mechanisms that enable metastatic cells to survive the harsh conditions of bloodstream circulation—characterized by shear stress and immune surveillance. The King lab’s long-standing focus on co-culturing cancer cells alongside stromal cells, particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), is key to understanding how tumor microenvironments promote metastatic success. Stromal cells, although noncancerous, influence tumor behavior and resilience dramatically, but their role in cluster survival within the vascular system has remained incompletely characterized.
By leveraging ATLAS, the Rice researchers created prostate cancer cell clusters, both with and without the inclusion of CAFs. Their experiments revealed that cancer clusters have a markedly higher survival rate when traveling as groups rather than as isolated cells, particularly when CAFs are present. These fibroblasts actively facilitate cancer cells’ endurance against the mechanical stressors of blood flow, enabling continuous growth and increased metastatic potential. This finding underscores the critical mechanobiological role of the tumor stroma in metastasis and offers novel avenues for targeted therapies aimed at disrupting this cellular symbiosis.
The insights gained from ATLAS extend beyond methodological advancements; they open promising biological pathways for combating prostate cancer metastasis. Carter emphasized the therapeutic implications: “Our study highlights that targeting the CAF ‘escorts’ accompanying cancer cell clusters could form the basis of next-generation treatments designed to prevent the dissemination of metastatic prostate cancer.” This concept challenges the conventional focus on cancer cells alone and shifts attention toward the supportive cells within the metastatic niche.
ATLAS exemplifies the power of integrating engineering principles with cancer biology to resolve longstanding experimental limitations. The platform sets new standards for studying the dynamic interactions within tumor microenvironments by closely recapitulating physiological blood flow and cellular architecture. Such realistic and high-throughput models will accelerate the development and testing of anti-metastatic drugs, potentially shortening timelines for preclinical research and enhancing translational success.
Alexandria Carter’s entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond the laboratory. Having completed Rice’s Innovation Fellows program, she is now founding a company named Bionostic to commercialize the ATLAS technology. This venture seeks to make the platform broadly available, transforming metastasis research and drug discovery efforts worldwide. The program, run by Rice’s Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie), fosters such translation of academic inventions into practical solutions, reinforcing Rice’s commitment to impactful innovation.
Michael King, a prominent figure in bioengineering and a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Scholar, echoed the importance of this advancement: “Studying metastasis has always been hindered by inadequate lab models. With ATLAS, we now have an elegant and scalable tool that deepens our comprehension of how cancer spreads, and that will ultimately guide the development of more effective therapies.” His leadership has been instrumental in bridging complex biological questions with cutting-edge material science and engineering techniques.
This new approach couldn’t come at a more critical time as metastatic prostate cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. By uniting nanotechnology, 3D printing, and cellular mechanobiology, the Rice team has illuminated a crucial frontier—how the physical microenvironment and cellular partnerships dictate metastatic fate. The ATLAS system sets a precedent for future versatile models tailored to study different cancer types and microenvironmental factors.
With the patent-pending ATLAS technology, researchers now have at their disposal a scalable, cost-effective, and biologically relevant platform that could transform the exploration of metastatic mechanisms. These advances pave the way for discoveries that were previously out of reach due to technological and experimental constraints. Rice University’s breakthrough offers not just a glimpse into the cellular choreography of metastasis, but a robust tool to reshape cancer research and improve patient outcomes worldwide.
Subject of Research: Cancer metastasis modeling using engineered 3D cell culture systems
Article Title: A Superhydrophobic 3D Cell Culture System Reveals the Mechanobiological Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Prostate Cancer Metastasis
News Publication Date: March 26, 2026
Web References: https://news.rice.edu/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202600011
References: Carter A., Fabiano A., Aalaei E., Deng J., Rostant D., King M. (2026). A Superhydrophobic 3D Cell Culture System Reveals the Mechanobiological Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Prostate Cancer Metastasis. Advanced Healthcare Materials. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202600011
Image Credits: Photo by Jared Jones/Rice University; Microscopy images courtesy of Alex Carter/Rice University; B-roll by Brandon Martin/Rice University
Keywords: Metastasis, Cancer, Prostate cancer, Superhydrophobicity, Cancer-associated fibroblasts, 3D cell culture, Shear stress, Blood flow, Tumor microenvironment, Nanotechnology, 3D printing, Mechanobiology
