EMT and MET: necessary or permissive for metastasis?. Issue 7 (12th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jolly, Mohit Kumar; Ware, Kathryn E.; Gilja, Shivee; Somarelli, Jason A.; Levine, Herbert
• Is Part Of: Molecular oncology. Volume 11:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 755
• Page End: 769
• Publication Date: 2017-06-12
• Subjects: epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition -- hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal -- mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial transition -- metastasis -- phenotypic plasticity; Cancer -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1574-7891

Abstract

Abstract : Epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial transition (MET) have been suggested to play crucial roles in metastatic dissemination of carcinomas. These phenotypic transitions between states are not binary. Instead, carcinoma cells often exhibit a spectrum of epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype(s). While epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity has been observed preclinically and clinically, whether any of these phenotypic transitions are indispensable for metastatic outgrowth remains an unanswered question. Here, we focus on epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity in metastatic dissemination and propose alternative mechanisms for successful dissemination and metastases beyond the traditional EMT/MET view. We highlight multiple hypotheses that can help reconcile conflicting observations, and outline the next set of key questions that can offer valuable insights into mechanisms of metastasis in multiple tumor models. Abstract : Here, we focus on epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity in metastatic dissemination and propose alternative mechanisms for successful dissemination and metastases beyond the traditional EMT/MET view of single‐cell dissemination. We highlight multiple hypotheses that can help reconcile conflicting observations, and outline the next set of key questions that can offer valuable insights into mechanisms of metastasis in multiple tumor models.