Epithelial–mesenchymal transitions in tumour progression

JP Thiery - Nature reviews cancer, 2002 - nature.com
Nature reviews cancer, 2002nature.com
Without epithelial–mesenchymal transitions, in which polarized epithelial cells are converted
into motile cells, multicellular organisms would be incapable of getting past the blastula
stage of embryonic development. However, this important developmental programme has a
more sinister role in tumour progression. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition provides a new
basis for understanding the progression of carcinoma towards dedifferentiated and more
malignant states.
Abstract
Without epithelial–mesenchymal transitions, in which polarized epithelial cells are converted into motile cells, multicellular organisms would be incapable of getting past the blastula stage of embryonic development. However, this important developmental programme has a more sinister role in tumour progression. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition provides a new basis for understanding the progression of carcinoma towards dedifferentiated and more malignant states.
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