Although the accumulation of random genetic mutations have been traditionally viewed as the main cause of cancer progression, altered mechanobiological profiles of the cells and microenvironment also play a major role as a mutation-independent element. To probe the latter, we have previously reported a microfluidic cell-culture platform with an integrated flexible actuator and its application for sequential cyclic compression of cancer cells. The platform is composed of a control microchannel in a top layer for introducing external pressure, and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane from which a monolithically-integrated actuator protrudes downwards into a cell-culture microchannel. When actively actuated, the integrated actuator, referred to as micro-piston, transfers the pressure from the control channel as a mechanical force to the cells underneath. When not actuated, the micro piston remains suspended above cells, separated from the latter via a liquid-filled gap of ∼108 µm. Despite the lack of direct physical contact between the micro-piston and cells in the latter arrangement, we observed distinct alignment of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells to the piston shape. To charaterize this observation, micro-piston localization, shape, and size were adjusted and the directionality of a mono-layer of SKOV-3 cells relative to the suspended structure probed. Cell alignment analysis was performed in a novel, label-free approach by measuring elongation angles of whole cell bodies with respect to micro-piston peripheries. Alignment of SKOV-3 cells to the structure outline was significant for circular, triangular and square micro-piston when compared to control areas without micro-piston on the same chip. The effect was present irrespective of whether cells were loaded with micro-pistons in static position (∼108 µm gap) or actively retracted using vacuum (>108 µm gap). Similar alignment was not observed for MCF7 cancer cells and MCF10A non-cancerous epithelial cells. The reported observation of directional movement and growth of SKOV-3 cells towards the region under micro-pistons point towards a to-date unexplored mechanotactic behaviour of these cells, warranting future investigations regarding the mechanisms involved and the role these may play in cancer.