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Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity in Tumor Immune Evasion.

ABSTRACT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process that occurs during embryogenesis and tissue repair. However, EMT can be hijacked by malignant cells, where it may promote immune evasion and metastasis. Classically considered a dichotomous transition, EMT in cancer has recently been considered a plastic process whereby malignant cells display and interconvert among hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and associated hybrid E/M states are divergent from classical EMT, with unique immunomodulatory effects. Here, we review recent insights into the EMP-immune cross-talk, highlighting possible mechanisms of immune evasion conferred by hybrid E/M states and roles of immune cells in EMP.

SUBMITTER: Mullins RDZ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9256788 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity in Tumor Immune Evasion.

Mullins Riley D Z RDZ Pal Ananya A Barrett Thomas F TF Heft Neal Molly E ME Puram Sidharth V SV

Cancer research 20220701 13

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process that occurs during embryogenesis and tissue repair. However, EMT can be hijacked by malignant cells, where it may promote immune evasion and metastasis. Classically considered a dichotomous transition, EMT in cancer has recently been considered a plastic process whereby malignant cells display and interconvert among hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and associated hybrid E/M states ...[more]

PMID: 35363853

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