EGF-receptor signaling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human carcinomas.
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) signaling pathway maintains a balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and thus it is believed that EGF-R signaling pathways play an important role in the development and progression of several human carcinomas. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) describes the dedifferentiation switch between polarized epithelial cancer cells and contractile and motile mesenchymal (invasive) cells during cancer progression and metastasis. Activation of EGF-R signaling regulates EMT-associated invasion and migration in normal and malignant epithelial cells. In contrast, blocking EGF-R and consequently its pathways, by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), inhibit cellular migration and invasion, suggesting an essential role for EGF-R inhibitors in the control of cancer metastasis. The purpose of this review is to summarize current information regarding the role of EGF-R signaling on EMT during human cancer progression and metastasis.
Syrian Research Cancer Centre of the Syrian Society against Cancer, Aleppo, Syria. ala-eddin.almoustafa@mcgill.ca
Ala-Eddin
AE
Al Moustafa
Amal
A
Achkhar
Amber
A
Yasmeen
D000818:Animals; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors