Abstract
The conversion of cells with an epithelial phenotype into cells with a mesenchymal phenotype, referred to as epithelial–mesenchymal transition, is a critical process for embryonic development that also occurs in adult life, particularly during tumour progression. Tumour cells undergoing epithelial–mesenchymal transition acquire the capacity to disarm the body's antitumour defences, resist apoptosis and anticancer drugs, disseminate throughout the organism, and act as a reservoir that replenishes and expands the tumour cell population. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition is therefore becoming a target of prime interest for anticancer therapy. Here, we discuss the screening and classification of compounds that affect epithelial–mesenchymal transition, highlight some compounds of particular interest, and address issues related to their clinical application.
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Acknowledgements
R.D.M. and G.S. are supported by the Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC).
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Marcucci, F., Stassi, G. & De Maria, R. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition: a new target in anticancer drug discovery. Nat Rev Drug Discov 15, 311–325 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2015.13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2015.13
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