biostudies-literatureShao YKey Projects of General Hospital of Northern Theater Command7326https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12923675biostudies-literatureUnknown16(1)Interleukin 7 (IL‑7) regulates lymphangiogenesis and proliferation, inhibits apoptosis and autophagy in non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the role and detailed molecular mechanism of IL‑7 involved in NSCLC epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) remain unknown. In this study, 119 cases of NSCLC tissue specimens were used to determine the expression levels and prognostic values of IL-7, IL-7R, E-cadherin and Vimentin. The CCK8, wound healing and transwell migration and invasion assays were employed to detect the NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. A subcutaneous tumor model and tail vein tumor injection in C57BL/6J mice were used to assess the role of IL-7 in vivo. Western blot, qRT-PCR and phalloidin staining assays were performed to investigate thScientific reportsInterleukin-7 induces EMT to promote tumor growth and metastasis in NSCLC via Notch1/TGF-β pathway.PMC12923675No: ZZKY2024037Li XLi CShao YNi WFu YCheng HZhang AMing JfalseInterleukin-7 induces EMT to promote tumor growth and metastasis in NSCLC via Notch1/TGF-β pathway.Interleukin 7 (IL‑7) regulates lymphangiogenesis and proliferation, inhibits apoptosis and autophagy in non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the role and detailed molecular mechanism of IL‑7 involved in NSCLC epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) remain unknown. In this study, 119 cases of NSCLC tissue specimens were used to determine the expression levels and prognostic values of IL-7, IL-7R, E-cadherin and Vimentin. The CCK8, wound healing and transwell migration and invasion assays were employed to detect the NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. A subcutaneous tumor model and tail vein tumor injection in C57BL/6J mice were used to assess the role of IL-7 in vivo. Western blot, qRT-PCR and phalloidin staining assays were performed to investigate th2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Feb2026-07-09T11:53:14.303Z2026-07-09T11:01:15.718ZS-EPMC129236754164470010.1038/s41598-026-37876-2