Connecting (T)issues: How Research in Fascia Biology Can Impact Integrative Oncology

Abstract

Complementary and integrative treatments, such as massage, acupuncture, and yoga, are used by increasing numbers of cancer patients to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. In addition, such treatments may have other important and currently overlooked benefits by reducing tissue stiffness and improving mobility. Recent advances in cancer biology are underscoring the importance of connective tissue in the local tumor environment. Inflammation and fibrosis are well-recognized contributors to cancer, and connective tissue stiffness is emerging as a driving factor in tumor growth. Physical-based therapies have been shown to reduce connective tissue inflammation and fibrosis and thus may have direct beneficial effects on cancer spreading and metastasis. Meanwhile, there is currently little knowledge on potential risks of applying mechanical forces in the vicinity of tumors. Thus, both basic and clinical research are needed to understand the full impact of integrative oncology on cancer biology as well as whole person health. Cancer Res; 76(21); 6159-62. Ó2016 AACR.

Chest pain in patients with COPD: the fascia’s subtle silence

“…The lungs increase the fascial stiffness by releasing pro-inflammatory substances, just as the fascial tissue releases inflammatory substances toward the lung, probably because of a diffusion mechanism. 74 , 77 If these scenarios should ever be confirmed by more extensive research, the visceral fascial inflammation could be proved to be another cause of thoracic pain in patients with COPD.…”

The Fascial Breath

“…C-fibres can activate the brain areas involved in emotional expression (insular cortex); the mechanical deformation to which a muscle is subjected stimulates these afferents, which reach the insula [10]. The fascia can influence health status, altering the mechanometabolic environment, causing clinical pictures of pain, inflammation and possible tumour formation [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. A chronic deformation of the myofascial system causes the mechanoreceptors to turn into nociceptors, for example in the thoracolumbar fascia, simulating an idiopathic back pain syndrome [15].…”

“…This fibrosis or desmoplasia is one of the stimuli to create and maintain a tumour phenomenon. According to a current of thought, the excess production of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) from fibrotic tissue is stimulated, which will increase the production of collagen and fibrosis: a vicious circle for the invasion of tumour cells [17]. Maintaining an optimal position of the collagen fibres, adapted to a specific anatomical structure (muscle, joint, visceral capsule, meninges, etc.…”

Variations in contents of hyaluronan in the peritumoral micro‐environment of human chondrosarcoma

“…In addition, there is a similarity of composition between fascia and peritumoral stroma, especially as regards the abundance of fibroblasts and the composition of the extracellular matrix. Pathologic processes involving inflammation and tissue fibrosis result in stiff connective tissue, and these factors are also important in cancer biology . For all these reasons, the fasciae may be considered a good control group.…”