Measuring and Modelling the Epithelial- Mesenchymal Hybrid State in Cancer: Clinical Implications

Abstract

The epithelial-mesenchymal (E/M) hybrid state has emerged as an important mediator of elements of cancer progression, facilitated by epithelial mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). We review here evidence for the presence, prognostic significance, and therapeutic potential of the E/M hybrid state in carcinoma. We further assess modelling predictions and validation studies to demonstrate stabilised E/M hybrid states along the spectrum of EMP, as well as computational approaches for characterising and quantifying EMP phenotypes, with particular attention to the emerging realm of single-cell approaches through RNA sequencing and protein-based techniques.

Keywords: Cancer; Computational biology; Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; Mesenchymal- epithelial transition; E/M hybrid; Molecular modelling; Partial epithelial- mesenchymal plasticity.