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Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Assessing Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Doorway-Mediated Vascular Permeability Associated with Cancer Cell Dissemination using Intravital Imaging and Fixed Tissue Analysis
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Assessing Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Doorway-Mediated Vascular Permeability Associated with Cancer Cell Dissemination using Intravital Imaging and Fixed Tissue Analysis

Published on: June 26, 2019

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The role of EMT and MET in cancer dissemination

Jacqueline Banyard1, Diane R Bielenberg1

  • 1a Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery , Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA.

Connective Tissue Research
|August 21, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Metastatic cancer progression involves epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This review explores how microRNAs and exosomes drive EMT and prepare the pre-metastatic niche for cancer cell spread.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Metastatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression is crucial for developing effective treatments.
  • The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key cellular process implicated in cancer metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging data on the molecular mechanisms driving tumor cell metastasis.
  • To elucidate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) and exosomes in promoting EMT and the pre-metastatic niche.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on cancer metastasis, EMT, miRNAs, and exosomes.
  • Synthesis of data on the functional roles of miRNAs and exosomes in cancer progression.

Main Results:

  • EMT facilitates tumor cell intravasation and dissemination but may not be essential for extravasation or colonization.
  • Lymphatic dissemination may occur independently of EMT.
  • MicroRNAs and exosomes are key mediators in promoting EMT and establishing the pre-metastatic niche.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting miRNA and exosome-mediated pathways could offer novel therapeutic strategies against cancer metastasis.
  • Further research into the intricate roles of EMT, miRNAs, and exosomes is warranted for comprehensive cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Epithelial-mesenchymal transitionexosomeshematogenous metastasislymphaticslymphogenous metastasismicroRNA

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