Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions and circulating tumor cells

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Cancer Research
• Oncology

Background:

• Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) confers enhanced migratory and invasive properties to epithelial cells.
• EMT is implicated in physiological and pathological processes requiring cell movement, including cancer metastasis.
• Evidence suggests EMT phenotypes exist in human tumors and enhance metastatic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review in vitro and in vivo data on the relationship between EMT and circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
• To explore the putative role of EMT in the generation and survival of CTCs.
• To address the largely unexplored connections between EMT and CTCs in cancer progression.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of in vitro studies.
• Literature review of in vivo studies.
• Analysis of existing data on EMT phenotypes and CTCs.

Main Results:

• Accumulating data indicate EMT phenotypes in primary human tumors.
• EMT derivatives show enhanced metastatic potential in animal models.
• EMT attributes are reported in circulating tumor cells (CTCs).

Conclusions:

• EMT processes are potentially involved in the generation of CTCs.
• EMT may play a role in the survival mechanisms of CTCs.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the EMT-CTC relationship in metastasis.