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Review
. 2024 Aug 17;25(16):8972.
doi: 10.3390/ijms25168972.

Factors Determining Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Progression

Paulina Tomecka  1 , Dominika Kunachowicz  2 , Julia Górczyńska  1 , Michał Gebuza  1 , Jacek Kuźnicki  1 , Katarzyna Skinderowicz  1 , Anna Choromańska  3
Affiliations
Review

Factors Determining Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Progression

Paulina Tomecka et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process in which an epithelial cell undergoes multiple modifications, acquiring both morphological and functional characteristics of a mesenchymal cell. This dynamic process is initiated by various inducing signals that activate numerous signaling pathways, leading to the stimulation of transcription factors. EMT plays a significant role in cancer progression, such as metastasis and tumor heterogeneity, as well as in drug resistance. In this article, we studied molecular mechanisms, epigenetic regulation, and cellular plasticity of EMT, as well as microenvironmental factors influencing this process. We included both in vivo and in vitro models in EMT investigation and clinical implications of EMT, such as the use of EMT in curing oncological patients and targeting its use in therapies. Additionally, this review concludes with future directions and challenges in the wide field of EMT.

Keywords: cancer; cellular plasticity; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; regulatory factors; tumor microenvironment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The image emphasizes the bidirectional transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal cell states, EMT and MET, highlighting distinct markers that characterize each state.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Representation of the key signaling pathways involved in EMT induction. See text for details.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Soluble factors secreted by various cell populations, including CAFs, CAAs, and immune cells, can stimulate EMT. Also, the crosstalk between cancer cells and non-cellular components of ECM is an important contributing factor.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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