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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: a new target in anticancer drug discovery

Fabrizio MarcucciRuggero De MariaGiorgio Stassi

subject

0301 basic medicineAdultEpithelial-Mesenchymal TransitionCellPopulationAntineoplastic AgentsPharmacologyBiology03 medical and health sciences0302 clinical medicineSettore MED/04 - PATOLOGIA GENERALENeoplasmsDrug DiscoverymedicineHumanscancerEpithelial–mesenchymal transitioneducationAdult; Antineoplastic Agents; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Humans; Neoplasms; Drug Discovery; Pharmacology; Drug Discovery3003 Pharmaceutical SciencePharmacologyeducation.field_of_studyTransition (genetics)Drug discoveryDrug Discovery3003 Pharmaceutical ScienceGeneral MedicineAnticancer drugEMT target therapy chemoresistance030104 developmental biologymedicine.anatomical_structureDrug developmentApoptosis030220 oncology & carcinogenesisCancer research

description

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.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2016-01-01
10.1038/nrd.2015.13http://hdl.handle.net/10807/79477