Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process that allows well-differentiated, polarized epithelial cells to undergo a conversion to motile, unpolarized mesenchymal cells. EMT plays crucial roles during implantation, embryogenesis, and organ development (Type 1 EMT), is associated with tissue regeneration and organ fibrosis (Type 2 EMT), and involved in cancer invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance (Type 3 EMT). Since aggressiveness and drug resistance are hallmarks of ductal pancreatic cancer, significant effort has been undertaken in recent years to elucidate molecular EMT mechanisms in this dismal malignancy. This represents a formidable challenge for several reasons: EMT is a dynamic process, both with regard to spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Moreover, EMT is induced and regulated by a complex network of traditional signaling pathways and new players like microRNAs. Interestingly, similar molecular characteristics link EMT-type cells also to the concept of cancer stem cells. This review tries to integrate the current knowledge regarding EMT and pancreatic cancer; furthermore to outline not only the perspective on novel EMT-associated therapeutic targets, but also on overcoming drug resistance by interfering with EMT.
Keywords: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, pancreatic cancer, cancer stem cells
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Genes Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: Possible Therapeutic Targets in Ductal Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma?
Volume: 11 Issue: 5
Author(s): Hubert G. Hotz, Birgit Hotz and Heinz-Johannes Buhr
Affiliation:
Keywords: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, pancreatic cancer, cancer stem cells
Abstract: Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process that allows well-differentiated, polarized epithelial cells to undergo a conversion to motile, unpolarized mesenchymal cells. EMT plays crucial roles during implantation, embryogenesis, and organ development (Type 1 EMT), is associated with tissue regeneration and organ fibrosis (Type 2 EMT), and involved in cancer invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance (Type 3 EMT). Since aggressiveness and drug resistance are hallmarks of ductal pancreatic cancer, significant effort has been undertaken in recent years to elucidate molecular EMT mechanisms in this dismal malignancy. This represents a formidable challenge for several reasons: EMT is a dynamic process, both with regard to spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Moreover, EMT is induced and regulated by a complex network of traditional signaling pathways and new players like microRNAs. Interestingly, similar molecular characteristics link EMT-type cells also to the concept of cancer stem cells. This review tries to integrate the current knowledge regarding EMT and pancreatic cancer; furthermore to outline not only the perspective on novel EMT-associated therapeutic targets, but also on overcoming drug resistance by interfering with EMT.
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Cite this article as:
G. Hotz Hubert, Hotz Birgit and Buhr Heinz-Johannes, Genes Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: Possible Therapeutic Targets in Ductal Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma?, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 11 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152011795677436
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152011795677436 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
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