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Cancer and Metastasis Reviews
Published in: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews 4/2016

01-12-2016

EMT, cell plasticity and metastasis

Authors: Christine L. Chaffer, Beatriz P. San Juan, Elgene Lim, Robert A. Weinberg

Published in: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews | Issue 4/2016

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Abstract

Carcinoma cells that are induced to suppress their epithelial features and upregulate mesenchymal gene expression programs acquire traits that promote an invasive and metastatic phenotype. This is achieved through the expression of a program termed the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)—a fundamental cell-biological process that plays key roles in embryogenesis and wound healing. Re-activation of the EMT during cancer promotes disease progression and enhances the metastatic phenotype by bestowing upon previously benign carcinoma cell traits such as migration, invasion, resistance to anoikis, chemoresistance and tumour-initiating potential. Herein, we discuss recent insights into the function of the EMT and cancer cell plasticity during cancer progression, with a focus on their role in promoting successful completion of the later stages of the metastatic cascade.
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Metadata
Title
EMT, cell plasticity and metastasis
Authors
Christine L. Chaffer
Beatriz P. San Juan
Elgene Lim
Robert A. Weinberg
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Cancer and Metastasis Reviews / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 0167-7659
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7233
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-016-9648-7

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