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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
10:37
Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in development and cancer
Douglas S Micalizzi1, Heide L Ford
1Program in Molecular Biology, Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora CO 80045, USA.
Future Oncology (London, England)
|October 27, 2009
Summary
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is vital for embryonic development. Reactivation of EMT pathways in cancer promotes tumor cell migration, invasion, and metastasis, correlating with advanced disease.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Cellular Plasticity
Background:
- The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial for embryonic development, enabling tissue formation.
- Normally, EMT is restricted in differentiated tissues, but its aberrant activation is observed in cancer.
- EMT involves loss of epithelial traits and gain of mesenchymal characteristics, facilitating cell movement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of developmental EMT pathways in cancer progression.
- To explore how cancer cells hijack embryonic EMT programs for metastasis.
- To highlight the correlation between EMT activation and poor prognosis in human cancers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of developmental EMT pathways.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying oncogenic EMT.
- Correlation of EMT activation with clinical data in human cancers.
Main Results:
- Developmental EMT programs are inappropriately expressed in cancer.
- EMT-like processes in cancer enhance cell migration and invasion.
- Activation of EMT pathways in cancer is linked to advanced disease and poor prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Cancer cells may exploit developmental EMT pathways for metastatic spread.
- Understanding these pathways offers insights into cancer progression and therapeutic targets.
- EMT represents a critical mechanism for oncogenic epithelial plasticity.
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