Context-dependent EMT programs in cancer metastasis

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental process whereby stationary, adherent cells acquire the ability to migrate. EMT is critical for dramatic cellular movements during embryogenesis; however, tumor cells can reactivate EMT programs, which increases their aggressiveness. In addit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of experimental medicine Vol. 216; no. 5; p. 1016
Main Authors: Aiello, Nicole M, Kang, Yibin
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 06.05.2019
Subjects:
Animals
Biomarkers, Tumor
Cell Movement
Cell Plasticity
Epithelial Cells - metabolism
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Humans
Mesenchymal Stem Cells - metabolism
Mice
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms - pathology
ISSN:1540-9538, 1540-9538
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental process whereby stationary, adherent cells acquire the ability to migrate. EMT is critical for dramatic cellular movements during embryogenesis; however, tumor cells can reactivate EMT programs, which increases their aggressiveness. In addition to motility, EMT is associated with enhanced stem cell properties and drug resistance; thus it can drive metastasis, tumor recurrence, and therapy resistance in the context of cancer. However, the precise requirements for EMT in metastasis have not been fully delineated, with different tumor types relying on discrete EMT effectors. Most tumor cells do not undergo a full EMT, but rather adopt some qualities of mesenchymal cells and maintain some epithelial characteristics. Emerging evidence suggests that partial EMT can drive distinct migratory properties and enhance the epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity of cancer cells as well as cell fate plasticity. This review discusses the diverse regulatory mechanisms and functional consequences of EMT, with an emphasis on the importance of partial EMT.
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ISSN:1540-9538
1540-9538
DOI:10.1084/jem.20181827