Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has an important role in the development of embryo, as well as that in the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recent researches have demonstrated that both morphological and phenotypic conversions emerge in cells undergoing EMT. As most of relevant studies were on other cancers, it is essential to uncover whether it is the similar mechanisms accounting for EMT in NSCLC. With the progress of the studies, EMT-related basic researches are gradually applied to predicting the prognosis of NSCLC. The aim of this article was to discuss the mechanisms related to EMT emerging in NSCLC.
上皮细胞-间叶细胞转化（epithelial to mesenchymal transition, EMT）不仅在胚胎的发育过程中起着十分重要的作用，还参与非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）的转移过程。近期的研究发现，发生EMT的细胞不仅出现了形态的改变，还出现了相关表型的改变。既往有关EMT发生机制的研究多数是针对其他肿瘤的，因此很有必要研究NSCLC中是否有类似发生机制。随着研究的进展，EMT相关的基础研究逐渐被用于预测NSCLC的预后。本文将对NSCLC中EMT的发生机制及其临床应用的研究进展进行探讨。