Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Implications for Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmentally vital reversible process by which fully differentiated cells lose their epithelial features and acquire a migratory mesenchymal phenotype. EMT contributes to the metastatic potential of tumors. The expression profile and other biological properties of EMT suggest potential targets for cancer therapy, including in renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). The preclinical and clinical results have substantiated the promises that dysregulated elements leading to EMT can be a potential target in RCC patients. In this study, we illustrated the pathogenic and prognostic role of EMT in RCC. In addition, we reconstructed, by literature analysis, the different pathways implicated in the EMT process, thus supporting the rational for future EMT-directed therapeutic approaches for RCC patients.

The Expression of Fibroblast Activation Protein in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinomas Is Associated with Synchronous Lymph Node Metastases

“…Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible process in which cancer cells loss their epithelial features and transform into mesenchymal cells, and is a crucial step in the acquisition of metastatic behavior of tumors [33]. Sarcomatoid transformation, a fact that can be observed in 8–10% of CCRCCs, represents a good example of neoplastic EMT in renal cancer [34].…”

Expression of lactate dehydrogenase C correlates with poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma

“…Recent studies have showed that EMT acts a pivotal role in RCC pathogenesis, tumour aggressiveness and therapeutic effect. 35,36 EMT is also correlated with an advanced recurrence risk and poor overall survival in patients with RCC. 37 Moreover, our data demonstrated that LDHC could upregulate the expression of MMP-9.…”

The Pathology and Molecular Genetics of Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Mini-Review

“…This mechanism is known as epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) (13, 18). In this process, carcinoma cells lose epithelial phenotype and gain mesenchymal feature (19, 20). Recent clinical and preclinical results showed that the disrupted changes leading to EMT can be potential targets of treatment for RCC patients (20).…”

“…In this process, carcinoma cells lose epithelial phenotype and gain mesenchymal feature (19, 20). Recent clinical and preclinical results showed that the disrupted changes leading to EMT can be potential targets of treatment for RCC patients (20). Jiang et al analyzed 12 cases of sarcomatoid RCC using comparative genomic hybridization technique and found that chromosomal gains are less frequent than chromosomal losses.…”