Targeting the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: The Case for Differentiation-Based Therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• Most carcinoma treatments still rely on traditional therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
• Distant metastases and therapy-resistant relapses are primary causes of cancer-related deaths.
• The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key cellular program linked to cancer progression and treatment failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging concepts in EMT and cancer stemness.
• To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting EMT-driven stem-like cancer cells.
• To highlight differentiation-based strategies for eradicating therapy-resistant cancer populations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent research on EMT and cancer stemness.
• Analysis of the role of EMT in cancer metastasis, stem cell formation, and therapy resistance.
• Discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting EMT and stemness.

Main Results:

• EMT confers critical cancer-promoting traits, including dissemination, stem-like properties, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
• EMT is a variable process with context-dependent versions observed across different tumor types and stages.
• Cancer stem cells adopting EMT programs are responsible for tumor relapse and resistance to conventional therapies.

Conclusions:

• The EMT program is a significant driver of aggressive cancer behavior and treatment failure.
• Understanding the variable nature of EMT is crucial for developing effective therapies.
• Differentiation-based therapeutic strategies show promise for eradicating EMT-driven, stem-like cancer cells and overcoming treatment resistance.