Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

ScientificWorldJournal. 2010 Oct 1:10:1947-57. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2010.183.

Abstract

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiologic process that allows morphological and genetic changes of carcinoma cells from an epithelial to a mesenchymal phenotype, which is the basis of the high metastatic potential of pancreatic cancer cells. EMT is triggered by various tumor microenvironmental factors, including cytokines, growth factors, and chemotherapeutic agents. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that support pancreatic cancer EMT and the evidences that support its involvement in invasiveness/ aggressiveness, and the drug resistance of pancreatic cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Mesoderm / metabolism
  • Mesoderm / pathology*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Smad Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta