title: The role of toll-like receptors in colorectal cancer progression: evidence for epithelial to leucocytic transition.
abstract: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed by immune cells, intestinal epithelium, and tumor cells. In the homeostatic setting, they help to regulate control over invading pathogens and maintain the epithelial lining of the large and small intestines. Aberrant expression of certain TLRs by tumor cells can induce growth inhibition while others contribute to tumorigenesis and progression. Activation of these TLRs can induce inflammation, tumor cell proliferation, immune evasion, local invasion, and distant metastasis. These TLR-influenced behaviors have similarities with properties observed in leukocytes, suggesting that tumors may be hijacking immune programs to become more aggressive. The concept of epithelial to leucocytic-transition (ELT) is proposed, akin to epithelial to mesenchymal transition, in which tumors develop the ability to activate leucocytic traits otherwise inaccessible to epithelial cells. Understanding the mechanisms of ELT could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for inhibiting tumor metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Imaging and Metabolism, Imaging and Technology Center of Excellence, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center , Tampa, FL , USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Luddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center , Tampa, FL , USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robertson-Tessi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Imaging and Metabolism, Imaging and Technology Center of Excellence, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center , Tampa, FL , USA.
authors.forename: Narges K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Tafreshi
authors.affiliation: Don and Erika Wallace Comprehensive Breast Program, Center for Women's Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute , Tampa, FL , USA.
authors.forename: Hatem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Imaging and Metabolism, Imaging and Technology Center of Excellence, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center , Tampa, FL , USA.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morse
keywords: ELT; cell plasticity; colorectal cancer; epithelial to leucocytic transition; immune evasion; inflammation; metastasis; toll-like receptors