Potential Application of Cartilage Microspheres in Inhibiting Metastatic Tumour

Bone metastasis is a devastating complication of advanced cancer with limited therapeutic options. The role of cartilage in metastatic progression has remained ambiguous. This study investigates the tumour-suppressive potential of a native three-dimensional chondrogenic microenvironment. Using two complementary models, implantation of decellularized cartilage microspheres and tumour cell culture within chondrogenic scaffolds, we demonstrate that the 3D cartilage architecture consistently and significantly inhibits tumour proliferation. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the historical failure of oral shark cartilage therapies, whose bioactive structure is compromised during administration. Our work suggests a novel therapeutic strategy for bone metastasis through local implantation of 3D cartilage-mimetic constructs, which could simultaneously suppress tumour growth and remodel the metastatic niche through induced chondrogenesis. While immunological considerations for xenogeneic materials require further investigation, our approach supports the development of innovative treatments combining oncologic suppression with regenerative medicine principles.