Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity in Cancer Progression and Metastasis

Dev Cell. 2019 May 6;49(3):361-374. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.04.010.

Abstract

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reversed process, mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), are fundamental processes in embryonic development and tissue repair but confer malignant properties to carcinoma cells, including invasive behavior, cancer stem cell activity, and greater resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Understanding the molecular and cellular basis of EMT provides fundamental insights into the etiology of cancer and may, in the long run, lead to new therapeutic strategies. Here, we discuss the regulatory mechanisms and pathological roles of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, with a focus on recent insights into the complexity and dynamics of this phenomenon in cancer.

Keywords: cellular plasticity; chemoresistance; epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; immune evasion; metastasis; stemness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Plasticity / physiology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Embryonic Development
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / physiology*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology