To assess this, we implanted three independent HER2+ human breast cancer PDXs (BCM-3963; BCM-3143B, HCI-012) embedded within control (SOFT; 140 Pa) and non-metabolizable L-ribose cross-linked (STIFF; 1200–2000 Pa) collagen gels into the fat pads (orthotopic) of NOD/SCID mice and monitored the impact on tumor phenotype and behavior (Fig. 4a). This evidence concerns the gene ERBB2 and breast cancer.