Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer
09:08

Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer

Published on: January 12, 2020

Notch signaling: targeting cancer stem cells and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Ingrid Espinoza1, Radhika Pochampally, Fei Xing

  • 1Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA ; Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.

Oncotargets and Therapy
|September 18, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Notch signaling regulates cell identity and is implicated in cancer progression. Targeting Notch may offer new strategies against cancer stem cells and metastasis by reversing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Notch signaling is crucial for cell fate determination, stem cell maintenance, and tissue differentiation.
  • The Notch pathway plays significant roles in carcinogenesis, cancer stem cell biology, tumor angiogenesis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the function of Notch signaling in the cancer stemness program and in metastatic processes.
  • To provide an update on Notch inhibitors currently in oncological research and their potential therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Notch signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of Notch pathway's role in cancer stem cells and EMT.
  • Summary of ongoing clinical investigations of Notch inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • The Notch pathway is integral to maintaining cancer stem cell properties.
  • Notch signaling contributes to the development of metastases.
  • Notch inhibitors are being developed to target cancer stem cells and reverse EMT.

Conclusions:

  • Notch signaling is a key regulator of cancer stemness and metastasis.
  • Notch inhibitors show promise as a therapeutic strategy in oncology, potentially by targeting cancer stem cells and reversing EMT.
Keywords:
EMTNotch inhibitorsNotch signalingcancer stem cellsmesenchymal stem cellsmetastases

More Related Videos

Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells11:42

Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells

Published on: April 7, 2017

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition10:37

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: August 27, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

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...
Stem Cell Niche01:26

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...