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.
Export Options
About this article
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 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Phytoconstituents of <i>Lantana camara</i> L.: Rekindling Hope in the Cancer
Treatment
Current Bioactive Compounds Cytotoxic Effects on B Lymphocytes Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species
Current Pharmaceutical Design Regulatory Approaches to Nonclinical Reproductive Toxicity Testing of Anti-Cancer Drugs
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Membrane Tyrosine Kinase Receptors Kit and FLT3 are an Important Targets for the Therapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Mechanistic and Clinical Aspects of Lenalidomide Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Current Cancer Drug Targets Plasticity of T Cell Differentiation and Cytokine Signature: A Double-Edged Sword for Immune Responses
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Functional Nanoplatforms for Enhancement of Chemotherapeutic Index
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Use of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Array Technology to Improve the Identification of Chromosomal Lesions in Leukemia
Current Cancer Drug Targets A Comprehensive Review on Pharmacological Properties of Abrus precatorius L.
The Natural Products Journal Breath Analysis Using SIFT-MS to Assess Metabolic Status in Patients After Gastro-oesophageal Cancer Surgery- a Pilot Study
Current Analytical Chemistry Synthetic and Biological Aspects of Thiadiazoles and their Condensed Derivatives: An Overview
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Apoptosis Induction by Erucylphosphohomocholine via the 18 kDa Mitochondrial Translocator Protein: Implications for Cancer Treatment
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Subcellular Trafficking in Rhabdovirus Infection and Immune Evasion: A Novel Target for Therapeutics
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Drug-Lipid Membrane Interaction Mechanisms Revealed Through Molecular Simulations
Current Physical Chemistry Editorial (Thematic Issue: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Reaching For the Cure)
Current Cancer Drug Targets Mechanisms Involved in Apoptosis Events Contributing to Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Dysfunction
Current Drug Therapy HSP90 Inhibitors: Current Development and Potential in Cancer Therapy
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Cytotoxic Nucleoside Analogues: Different Strategies to Improve their Clinical Efficacy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cell Hierarchy, Metabolic Flexibility and Systems Approaches to Cancer Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Haematological Malignancies
Current Clinical Pharmacology