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Updated: May 26, 2026

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
EGF-receptor signaling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human carcinomas
Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa1, Amal Achkhar, Amber Yasmeen
1Syrian Research Cancer Centre of the Syrian Society against Cancer, Aleppo, Syria. ala-eddin.almoustafa@mcgill.ca
Abstract:
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) signaling pathway maintains a balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and thus it is believed that EGF-R signaling pathways play an important role in the development and progression of several human carcinomas. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) describes the dedifferentiation switch between polarized epithelial cancer cells and contractile and motile mesenchymal (invasive) cells during cancer progression and metastasis. Activation of EGF-R signaling regulates EMT-associated invasion and migration in normal and malignant epithelial cells. In contrast, blocking EGF-R and consequently its pathways, by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), inhibit cellular migration and invasion, suggesting an essential role for EGF-R inhibitors in the control of cancer metastasis. The purpose of this review is to summarize current information regarding the role of EGF-R signaling on EMT during human cancer progression and metastasis.
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