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Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
The amoeboid state as part of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition programme
Vittoria Graziani1, Irene Rodriguez-Hernandez1, Oscar Maiques1
1Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
Abstract:
Cell migration is essential for many biological processes, while abnormal cell migration is characteristic of cancer cells. Epithelial cells become motile by undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and mesenchymal cells increase migration speed by adopting amoeboid features. This review highlights how amoeboid behaviour is not merely a migration mode but rather a cellular state - within the EMT spectra - by which cancer cells survive, invade and colonise challenging microenvironments. Molecular biomarkers and physicochemical triggers associated with amoeboid behaviour are discussed, including an amoeboid associated tumour microenvironment. We reflect on how amoeboid characteristics support metastasis and how their liabilities could turn into therapeutic opportunities.
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