The therapeutic potential of targeting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer.
BACKGROUND
The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has long been advocated as a process during tumor progression and the acquisition of metastatic potential of human cancers. EMT has also been linked with resistance to cancer therapies.


METHODS
Basic research has provided evidence connecting EMT to increased invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis of cancer cells. A number of signaling pathways such as notch, wnt, hedgehog and PI3K-AKT, and various other individual factors therein, have been intricately connected to the onset of EMT. Here, we provide latest updates on the evidences that further highlight an association between various signaling pathways and EMT, with a focus on therapeutic targets that may have the potential to reverse EMT.


CONCLUSIONS
Our understanding of EMT and its underlying causes is rapidly evolving and a number of putative targets have been identified. It is crucial, now than ever before, to design novel translational and clinical studies for the benefit of advanced stage cancer patients with metastatic disease.
Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology , Detroit, MI 48201 , USA.
Kevin R
KR
Ginnebaugh
Aamir
A
Ahmad
Fazlul H
FH
Sarkar
D000818:Animals; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
drug resistance; epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; metastasis