Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process in which epithelial cells lose their morphology and function and gradually transformed into mesenchymal-like cells. It is considered that EMT is the main cause for tumor recurrence and metastasis. Many factors are involved in the regulation of EMT, such as E-cadherin, transforming growth factor-β, Wnt signaling pathway, microRNA and EMT-related transcription factors. This article reviews the research progress on EMT and the involved mechanisms, and thus to provide a new perspective on cancer therapy in the future.
上皮—间质转化（EMT）是上皮细胞失去其形态和功能逐渐转化为间质样细胞的过程，与肿瘤复发和转移相关。EMT的调控因素有很多，如E-钙黏蛋白、转化生长因子β、Wnt信号通路、微RNA及转录因子等。本文就目前关于EMT在肿瘤中的作用以及EMT的调节机制的研究进展做一综述，以期对肿瘤的治疗提供新的线索。