Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a transdifferentiation process by which a fully differentiated epithelial cell acquires mesenchymal traits, and therefore, mesenchymal abilities such as motility and invasiveness. It is a pivotal physiological process involved in embryogenesis (Type 1 EMT) and in wound healing and tissue remodeling (Type 2 EMT), which, some authors claim, but there are still some controversies, has also been co-opted by @entity5 cells to increase their malignant potential (Type 3 EMT). Many biomarkers of Type 3 EMT have been characterized and classified into functional categories (i.e., extracellular proteins, cell surface molecules, cytoskeletal markers, transcriptional factors, and, recently, micro RNAs). The extra and intracellular signals that lead to EMT are only starting to be understood, but there is a consensus that Ras and @entity2533 signaling must converge with NF-kB in order to achieve a full EMT. The most classical experimental model is the induction of EMT by @entity2533 in cultures of epithelial cells. Other pathways involving @entity9459 , and Wnt/ @entity3546 , are also implicated. Ultimately, every EMT-inducing pathway will activate any of the @entity5962 transcriptional repressors ( @entity18075 , @entity18436 , Twist, @entity4245 or @entity19099 ). Although in the pre-clinical setting, EMT has also been related to an accelerated @entity5 progression and to an increased resistance to conventional chemotherapy. In this sense, several groups are beginning to use EMT as a predictive marker of response to treatment. Finally, two chemicals targeting @entity2533 are in clinical trials and many laboratories have initiated studies to use other EMT-related molecules as a therapeutic target for the @entity5 @entity1 with some modest, but encouraging results.

Is the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition clinically relevant for the @entity5 XXXX ?

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patient'] @entity4245 :: ('6615', 'Gene') :: ['Snail'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor', 'cancer'] @entity5962 :: ('999', 'Gene') :: ['E-cadherin'] @entity18075 :: ('6935', 'Gene') :: ['ZEB1'] @entity3546 :: ('1499', 'Gene') :: ['beta-catenin'] @entity2533 :: ('7040', 'Gene') :: ['TGF-beta'] @entity19099 :: ('6591', 'Gene') :: ['Slug'] @entity18436 :: ('9839', 'Gene') :: ['ZEB2'] @entity9459 :: ('2932', 'Gene') :: ['GSK3b']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['patient']
