Mechanism of the mesenchymal-epithelial transition and its relationship with metastatic tumor formation

Mol Cancer Res. 2011 Dec;9(12):1608-20. doi: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-10-0568. Epub 2011 Aug 12.

Abstract

Cancer metastasis consists of a sequential series of events, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) are recognized as critical events for metastasis of carcinomas. A current area of focus is the histopathological similarity between primary and metastatic tumors, and MET at sites of metastases has been postulated to be part of the process of metastatic tumor formation. Here, we summarize accumulating evidence from experimental studies that directly supports the role of MET in cancer metastasis, and we analyze the main mechanisms that regulate MET or reverse EMT in carcinomas. Given the critical role of MET in metastatic tumor formation, the potential to effectively target the MET process at sites of metastasis offers new hope for inhibiting metastatic tumor formation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Phenotype
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tumor Microenvironment / physiology

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Transcription Factors