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. 2014 Jan 1;3(1):e27220.
doi: 10.4161/onci.27220.

An immunotherapeutic intervention against tumor progression: Targeting a driver of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Claudia Palena  1 , Romaine I Fernando  1 , Duane H Hamilton  1
Affiliations

An immunotherapeutic intervention against tumor progression: Targeting a driver of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Claudia Palena et al. Oncoimmunology. .

Abstract

Targeting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is emerging as a novel intervention against tumor progression and metastatic dissemination, as well as the resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy displayed by multiple carcinomas. We have recently developed an immunotherapeutic approach to target a major driver of EMT, the T-box transcription factor T (also known as brachyury). This therapeutic paradigm is currently being tested in patients with advanced carcinomas in the context of a Phase I clinical trial.

Keywords: EMT; anticancer vaccines; brachyury; metastasis; therapeutic resistance.

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Figures

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Figure 1. Targeting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition to block metastatic dissemination and alleviate resistance to therapy. (A) The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes the invasive potential of cancer cells, their propensity to generate distant metastases and their resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. (B) A vaccine directed against a driver of EMT could elicit an immune response that effectively targets malignant cells undergoing the EMT. Combining this immunotherapeutic approach with conventional treatments targeting epithelial cancer cells might result in effective tumor eradication.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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