AFM nano-mechanics and calcium dynamics of prostate cancer cells with distinct metastatic potential

►The elastic moduli are greater for more metastatic cancer cells. ►The substrate adhesion is enhanced for more metastatic cancer cells. ►The calcium dynamics and the migration are enhanced in more metastatic cells. ►Changes in the tensile stress generated by adhesions explain the above results. ►Enhanced adhesion and calcium dynamics are beneficial for metastasis.