Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
11:42
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
[Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor metastasis]
Rongzhi Zhao1, Zhihao Wu, Qinghua Zhou
1Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
Zhongguo Fei AI Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer
|July 19, 2011
Summary
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) drives tumor invasion and metastasis, a key cause of cancer mortality. Understanding EMT molecular mechanisms is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Context:
- Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related death.
- Tumor cells spread through complex molecular processes.
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental biological process implicated in cancer progression.
Purpose:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying EMT in human cancers.
- To understand the role of EMT in tumor invasion and metastasis.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for combating cancer spread.
Summary:
- Metastasis involves tumor cells detaching, invading surrounding tissues, and entering circulation.
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical cellular program reactivated during cancer progression.
- EMT facilitates tumor cell motility and invasion, initiating the metastatic cascade.
Impact:
- Enhanced understanding of EMT in cancer can lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
- Identifying key molecular players in EMT may offer new targets for anti-metastasis drugs.
- This knowledge is vital for improving patient outcomes by controlling tumor spread.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Metastasis
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...