Re: Using Space-Based Investigations to Inform Cancer Research on Earth

In the Universe, four main forces are effective. These are weak nuclear force, strong nuclear force, electromagnetic force and gravitational force. Gravity is the\udattractive force between all matter. In space, the force of gravity is diminished, resulting in microgravity. Currently, there are various studies about microgravity\udand its effect on biological functions in the literature. In this review, the authors reported effects of microgravity on cancer culture studies. In these studies, some\uddevices are used such as rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor, clinostat, random positioning machine (RPM) (3D clinostat), and magnetic levitation. These 3D\udcell culture studies are focused on oncology. We can find some studies that especially focused on culture or co-culture of prostate cancer in the microgravity\udconditions. These authors suggested that effects of microgravity on the oncological cultures in the space station (10-4 and 10-6 g) were immune cell changes,\udalterations in gene expression, effects on cell signaling, effects on apoptosis, cytoskeletal changes, and alterations in cell shape. Microgravity environment of\udspace includes lack of sedimentation, reduced fluid shear, cellular co-location and 3D multicellular growth. Microencapsulation technology was developed in\udlike these conditions using a xenograft model of prostate cancer. Space presents an unlimited horizon for discovery. Microgravity can further our understanding\udof the fundamental role of gravity in cancer cell growth and function. These studies will expand our knowledge necessary for improving treatment options and\udexploring the etiopathogenesis of cancer