EMT: Present and future in clinical oncology

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cell Biology
• Cancer Metastasis Research

Background:

• Epithelial/mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process enabling tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
• Mesenchymal/epithelial transition (MET) is essential for metastatic outgrowth, and hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotypes are increasingly recognized.
• Plasticity between epithelial and mesenchymal states is fundamental to carcinoma cell dissemination and metastatic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the translational applicability of EMT in clinical settings.
• To provide an overview of recent in vivo models, human sample analyses, and therapeutic strategies for EMT.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of current evidence for the clinical translation of EMT processes.
• Overview of recent in vivo models of EMT.
• Analysis of EMT markers in human samples and assessment of therapeutic approaches and clinical trials.

Main Results:

• EMT and MET, along with hybrid E/M phenotypes, are critical for cancer metastasis.
• Translating EMT processes into clinical practice faces significant challenges and remains controversial.
• Standardized EMT marker analysis and novel E/M targeting tools show promise for clinical translation.

Conclusions:

• Plasticity between epithelial and mesenchymal states is a fundamental aspect of cancer cell metastasis.
• Clinical translation of EMT understanding is challenging but progressing with new models and analytical tools.
• Standardized EMT marker analysis in biopsies and targeted therapies for E/M states are future clinical strategies.