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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
[Role of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition during tumor progression]
S Ansieau1, C Caron de Fromentel, J Bastid
1Inserm U590, 69008 Lyon, France. ansieau@lyon.fnclcc.fr
Abstract:
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a morphogenetic program that converts epithelial into mesenchymal cells during the embryonic development. This mechanism is frequently reactivated during tumor progression and provides cells with motility and invasive capabilities favoring the metastatic dissemination from epithelial tumors. Various EMT-inducing transcription factors, such as the TWIST proteins, were also shown to inhibit oncogene-induced fail-safe programs (senescence and apoptosis), thereby promoting the progression from benign to malignant stages. Altogether, these observations suggest that EMT could play an important role in favoring both tumor development and metastatic dissemination.
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