New Publication Kontomaris, S. V. et al. 2026 Next Nanotechnology

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a key method for nanomechanical characterization of cells and tissues, with AFM-derived fingerprints proposed as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. These signatures typically include a higher elasticity peak (HEP), reflecting extracellular matrix stiffening due to collagen overproduction, and a lower elasticity peak (LEP), indicative of cancer cell softening. Despite their potential, AFM elasticity spectra are often assessed qualitatively, and a standardized mathematical framework for quantitative analysis is lacking. Here, we provide a rigorous mathematical characterization of Young’s modulus distribution in normal and cancerous tissues, aiming to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Read more