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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
Mechanisms of disease: epithelial-mesenchymal transition--does cellular plasticity fuel neoplastic progression?
Eva A Turley1, Mandana Veiseh, Derek C Radisky
1London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
Abstract:
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a phenotypic conversion that facilitates organ morphogenesis and tissue remodeling in physiological processes, such as embryonic development and wound healing. A similar phenotypic conversion is also detected in fibrotic diseases and neoplasia, and is associated with disease progression. EMT in cancer epithelial cells often seems to be an incomplete and bidirectional process. In this Review, we discuss the phenomenon of EMT as it pertains to tumor development, focusing on exceptions to the commonly held rule that EMT promotes invasion and metastasis. We also highlight the role of RAS-controlled signaling mediators, ERK1, ERK2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, as microenvironmental responsive regulators of EMT.
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