our
mission is

to improve cancer patients’ outcomes by ensuring each patient receives the right treatment, the first time.

Why is measuring
cell stiffness
important?

Cancer Development and
Mechanical Changes

Initiation & Early Progression

Primary tumor cells are stiff and dense; the tumor microenvironment (TME) gradually forms around them.

Progression & Aggressiveness

Some cancer cells soften and adopt an aggressive phenotype, often due to hypoxia. Meanwhile, the TME becomes denser and mechanically heterogeneous (mix of soft and stiff components).

Advanced & Treatment-Resistant Stage

Tumor exhibits mechanical heterogeneity—stiff cells remain clustered, while softer, deformable cells migrate outward, driving metastasis. The heterogeneous TME also impedes drug and immune cell penetration.

FAQ

Why does cell stiffness matter in cancer?

Cell stiffness plays a critical role in cancer progression and influences how cancer cells spread, interact, and respond to therapies. For example, a cancer cell needs to be able to physically squish and squeeze through the tissue in order to be able to successfully migrate and metastasize.

How can cell stiffness be measured?

Cell stiffness can be measured by applying a tiny force to the cell and observing how much it bends or resists, revealing its physical properties. We sometime refer to this as “nanopalpation”.

Where is Artidis technology available?

Currently, Artidis is being used in clinical studies at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. In 2025, we have plans to expand to more cities across the US and we will continue to update this list.

How is this technology different than liquid biopsies?

Artidis measures tumor stiffness and other mechanical properties that are directly responsible for resistance or immediate metastasis formation, while liquid biopsies analyze circulating cancer markers in blood or other bodily fluids.

Lessons learned

Words matter and conversations with patient advocates continue to shape how we communicate the impact of Artidis technology. Advocate insights are helping us present complex scientific concepts with greater clarity, relevance, and stronger collaboration across the research and advocacy communities. We value these partnerships and look forward to building on this shared progress.

If you would like to provide feedback on our messaging and materials please feel free to share with us at advocacy@artidis.com

Patient advocacy events

Future Events

ACE Webinar Innovation Hour: Physical Properties of Solid Tumor Cases

November 20, 2025

Cocktails & Conversation at SABCS

December 11, 2025

PAST Events

In 2025, we were thrilled to connect with our incredible patient advocate community through a series of engaging events:

Educational webinars with our team members, where our CEO, Head of Science and Medical oncologist shared insights into the science behind our approach.
Houston Helix Park office tours paired with Lunch & Learn sessions featuring some of our study principal investigators.
Networking opportunities at leading conferences, including AACR, ASCO, ASTRO, and SABCS.

‍
Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to these meaningful conversations!

Ongoing clinical studies in solid tumors

incorporating ARTIDIS Platform into the standard of care clinical
workflow

At Artidis, we are committed to a patient-centric approach in advancing clinical research. We collaborate closely with local patient advocacy groups to provide accurate and timely updates on active trial sites. By sharing this information, we aim to support informed decision-making and foster strong connections between patients, advocates, and research teams. Our mission is to ensure that patients have clear pathways to participation and that their needs remain at the forefront of innovation. You can find our research focus and clinical trials below.

Sarcoma

UMBRELLA

Liver

UMBRELLA

Bladder

UMBRELLA

Pancreas

Clinical Studies

EXPAND

UMBRELLA

Breast

Clinical Studies

ANGEL

EMPOwER

TOPAz

BRIGHT-RAD

UMBRELLA

Lung

UMBRELLA

This represents a portion of highlighted
clinical trials only.

View all clinical trials

Resources

What is cell stiffness and why is it important in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer?

How does the physical stiffness of a tumor cell affect not just its growth, but also how it responds to treatment?

Visit our sites

ARTIDIS in Houston, Texas

Our doors are always open for patient advocates. If you’ll be in the Houston area, please feel welcome to visit our Artidis offices for an introduction to our technology, a live demonstration, and an office tour. Engage with our team, learn how ARTIDIS is advancing cancer diagnostics, and share your thoughts.

ARTIDIS in Basel, Switzerland

Discover how we are shaping the future of personalized cancer care at our headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.Our doors are always open for patient advocates and we would love to welcome you to our headquarters any time for a tour, a demonstration, or simply to hear your thoughts on Artidis technology.

For visit scheduling please contact us at advocacy@artidis.com

The Artidis System and all associated components are for investigational use only.
They are not cleared or approved for diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive purposes, nor for guiding patient management, treatment decisions, or therapy selection. All outputs, findings, and services are intended exclusively for research use or clinical investigation in accordance with applicable local regulations.

The information, data, and claims presented on this website are exploratory in nature and intended solely for research purposes. Artidis technology is not cleared or approved for any clinical decision-making.

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