[Role of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition during tumor progression].
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a morphogenetic program that converts epithelial into mesenchymal cells during the embryonic development. This mechanism is frequently reactivated during tumor progression and provides cells with motility and invasive capabilities favoring the metastatic dissemination from epithelial tumors. Various EMT-inducing transcription factors, such as the TWIST proteins, were also shown to inhibit oncogene-induced fail-safe programs (senescence and apoptosis), thereby promoting the progression from benign to malignant stages. Altogether, these observations suggest that EMT could play an important role in favoring both tumor development and metastatic dissemination.
Ansieau
S
S
Inserm U590, 69008 Lyon, France. ansieau@lyon.fnclcc.fr
Caron de Fromentel
C
C
Bastid
J
J
Morel
A-P
AP
Puisieux
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D014157:Transcription Factors