Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions in tumour progression

Without epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, in which polarized epithelial cells are converted into motile cells, multicellular organisms would be incapable of getting past the blastula stage of embryonic development. However, this important developmental programme has a more sinister role in tumour progression. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition provides a new basis for understanding the progression of carcinoma towards dedifferentiated and more malignant states.