Implications of the Hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal Phenotype in Metastasis

Transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes - the epithelial to -mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) - are hallmarks of cancer metastasis. While transitioning between the epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, cells can also attain a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) (i.e., partial or intermediate EMT) phenotype. Cells in this phenotype have mixed epithelial (e.g., adhesion) and mesenchymal (e.g., migration) properties, thereby allowing them to move collectively as clusters. If these clusters reach the bloodstream intact, they can give rise to clusters of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as have often been seen experimentally. Here, we…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: 1214457
• CP
  Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

  Award: RP140113
• RU
  Rice University
• FD
  Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

  Award: 2013/14438-8