Breast cancer cells: Focus on the consequences of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
Breast cancers are highly heterogeneous and successful treatment of those subtypes with a high frequency of metastases and resistance to clinically available therapies remains a challenge. An understanding of mechanisms which may contribute to this heterogeneity and generation of more resilient cancer cells is therefore essential. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic two-way process that occurs during embryonic development and wound healing whereby epithelial cells can gain plasticity and switch to a mesenchymal-like phenotype. EMT has received interest from cancer researchers due to its potential role in processes important in cancer progression and metastasis. Recent evidence has revealed a clear association between EMT and resistance to therapeutics. Targeting of EMT and/or the mesenchymal-like phenotype may be a promising avenue for future therapeutic intervention. This review provides a brief summary of the functional consequences of EMT in breast cancer, with a focus on the mesenchymal-like phenotype.
School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Alice H L
AHL
Bong
School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Mater Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: greg@pharmacy.uq.edu.au.
Gregory R
GR
Monteith
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
Breast carcinoma; Heterogeneity; Mesenchymal; Plasticity