Dynamic EMT: a multi-tool for tumor progression

Brabletz S, Schuhwerk H, Brabletz T, Stemmler M (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108647

Abstract

The process of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is fundamental for embryonic morphogenesis. Cells undergoing it lose epithelial characteristics and integrity, acquire mesenchymal features, and become motile. In cancer, this program is hijacked to confer essential changes in morphology and motility that fuel invasion. In addition, EMT is increasingly understood to orchestrate a large variety of complementary cancer features, such as tumor cell stemness, tumorigenicity, resistance to therapy and adaptation to changes in the microenvironment. In this review, we summarize recent findings related to these various classical and non-classical functions, and introduce EMT as a true tumorigenic multi-tool, involved in many aspects of cancer. We suggest that therapeutic targeting of the EMT process will—if acknowledging these complexities—be a possibility to concurrently interfere with tumor progression on many levels.

Authors with CRIS profile

Simone Brabletz Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Medizin II (Molekulare Tumorforschung) Harald Schuhwerk Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Molekulare Pathogeneseforschung Thomas Brabletz Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Molekulare Pathogeneseforschung Marc Stemmler Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Molekulare Pathogeneseforschung

How to cite

APA:

Brabletz, S., Schuhwerk, H., Brabletz, T., & Stemmler, M. (2021). Dynamic EMT: a multi-tool for tumor progression. EMBO Journal. https://doi.org/10.15252/embj.2021108647

MLA:

Brabletz, Simone, et al. "Dynamic EMT: a multi-tool for tumor progression." EMBO Journal (2021).

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