Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a morphologic program in which cells convert from the epithelial to the mesenchymal state, plays a pivotal role during malignant tumor invasion-metastasis cascade. During the cancer progression, tumor cells undergo a series of dynamic and reversible cell phenotypic states transitions. Phenotypic plasticity of EMT program implies that epigenetic regulators play crucial roles in this process. Several EMT transcription factors can modulate EMT through regulating expression of the key target genes. These master EMT inducers orchestrate EMT program depending on complex epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Therefore, understanding of epigenetic mechanisms controlling EMT will provide critical insights into the fundamental mechanisms underlying cancer metastasis, and newtherapeutic targets for the treatment of malignant tumor.
Citing format ZHANG Jianchao, LI Hongchang. The Epigenetic Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Progression[J]. Journal of Integration Technology,2015,4(4):55-63