上皮–间质转化在肿瘤侵袭、转移及化疗耐药中的研究进展

Progress of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Tumor Invasion, Metastasis and Drug Resistance

肿瘤细胞转移是造成癌症患者死亡的主要原因,上皮–间质转化(epithelialmesenchymal transition,EMT)使肿瘤细胞由上皮细胞转化为间质细胞,维持上皮细胞黏附的E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)表达下调,破坏细胞间连接、获得侵袭与转移的能力,此过程受多种生长因子的调节。最新研究发现,肿瘤细胞发生EMT使其获得抗凋亡与耐受化疗药物的能力。该文旨在概述EMT在肿瘤转移与耐药性中的作用。

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition（EMT） is a progress that cancer cells are transformed from epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells. EMT, leading to low expression of E-cadherin and destroying intercellular junction, is regulated by multiple growth factors and transcription factors. EMT also contributes to tumor progression and metastasis. Tumor cells undergoing EMT acquire ability of resisting apoptosis and chemotherapy resistance. In this review, we summarize the role of EMT in the tumor metastasis and chemotherapy resistance.