The role of partial-EMT in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background: It is well-established that cervical lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Cancer cells invade the underlying stroma during metastasis by breaching the basement membrane. Highlight: The ability to metastasize is a key hallmark of cancer progression and this characteristic can be attained by undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a biological process in which epithelial cells lose their epithelial features and gain mesenchymal features. Recent evidence reports the intermediate state in the induction of EMT and partial-EMT. Notably, the partial-EMT phenotype is more aggressive than the complete EMT phenotype. However, the role of partial-EMT is not fully understood. Conclusion: In this review, we highlight the features of partial-EMT in HNSCC by summarizing previous studies. Moreover, we discuss the therapeutic potential for targeting partial-EMT. (c) 2022 Japanese Association for Oral Biology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Cervical lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), where cancer cells invade the underlying stroma by breaching the basement membrane. The ability to metastasize is achieved through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a biological process in which cells lose their epithelial features and gain mesenchymal features. Recent evidence highlights the intermediate state of partial-EMT and its higher aggressiveness compared to complete EMT. However, the specific role of partial-EMT remains unclear. This review summarizes the features of partial-EMT in HNSCC and discusses the therapeutic potential for targeting it.