title: Target cell movement in tumor and cardiovascular diseases based on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition concept.
abstract: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental mechanism in development driving body plan formation. EMT describes a transition process wherein polarized epithelial cells lose their characteristics and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. The apico-basal polarity of epithelial cells is replaced by a front-rear polarity in mesenchymal cells which favor cell-extracellular matrix than intercellular adhesion. These events serve as a prerequisite to the context-dependent migratory and invasive functions of mesenchymal cells. In solid tumors, carcinoma cells undergoing EMT not only invade and metastasize but also exhibit cancer stem cell-like properties, providing resistance to conventional and targeted therapies. In cardiovascular systems, epicardial cells engaged in EMT contribute to myocardial regeneration. Conversely, cardiovascular endothelial cells undergoing EMT cause cardiac fibrosis. Growing evidence has shed light on the potential development of novel therapeutics that target cell movement by applying the EMT concept, and this may provide new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer and heart diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Experimental Therapeutic Centre, Biopolis A*STAR, Cancer Science Institute National University of Singapore and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Kian-Ngiap
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: Kar Lai
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Jormay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Wen-Jing
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.forename: Ruby Yun-Ju
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jean Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thiery
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology