Advances in the study of epithelial mesenchymal transition in cancer progression: Role of miRNAs

• Published in: Progress in biophysics and molecular biology Vol. 196; pp. 69 - 90
• Main Authors: Zhang, Jia, Yin, Runting, Xue, Yongwang, Qin, Rong, Wang, Xuequan, Wu, Shuming, Zhu, Jun, Li, Yan-Shuang, Zhang, Cai, Wei, Yuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2025
• Subjects: Animals; Cancer; Disease Progression; Epithelial mesenchymal transition; Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition - genetics; Humans; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; miRNAs; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms - pathology; Neoplasms - therapy; Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity; Epithelial mesenchymal transition; miRNAs; Cancer
• ISSN: 0079-6107; 1873-1732; 1873-1732
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2025.04.001

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been extensively studied for its roles in tumor metastasis, the generation and maintenance of cancer stem cells and treatment resistance. Epithelial mesenchymal plasticity allows cells to switch between various states within the epithelial-mesenchymal spectrum, resulting in a mixed epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypic profile. This plasticity underlies the acquisition of multiple malignant features during cancer progression and poses challenges for EMT in tumors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in the microenvironment affect numerous signaling processes through diverse mechanisms, influencing physiological activities. This paper reviews recent advances in EMT, the role of different hybrid states in tumor progression, and the important role of miRNAs in EMT. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between miRNA-based EMT therapies and their implications for clinical practice, discussing how ongoing developments may enhance therapeutic outcomes. [Display omitted]