Journal of International Oncology››2012,Vol. 39››Issue (5): 380-383.

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Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in digestive system tumors

XU Chun-hong, ZOU Xiao-ping

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
  • Online:2012-05-08Published:2012-05-02
  • Contact:ZOU Xiao-ping, E-mail: zouxiaoping795@hotmail.com E-mail:zouxiaoping795@hotmail.com

Abstract:Recent studies show that tumor cells get rid of the connections between cells, and induce tumor invasion and metastasis through epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT becomes an important way to invasion, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance of epithelial cell carcinoma which accounting for more than 90% of malignant carcinomas. Members of Snail family, especially Snail is regarded as important adjustment factor of EMT, which induce the transformation from epithelial cell to mesenchymal phenotype through competitive inhibition Ecalcium protein gene expression. Many researches show that EMT exists widely in digestive system tumors, which is closly related to the invasion, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance of digestive system tumors.

Key words:Epithelial-mesenchymal transition,Digestive system neoplasms,Glycoproteins