Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a de-differentiation process in which epithelial cells lose their epithelial properties to acquire mesenchymal features. EMT is essential for embryogenesis and wound healing but is aberrantly activated in pathological conditions like fibrosis and cancer. Tumor-associated EMT contributes to cancer cell initiation, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence. This dynamic and reversible event is governed by EMT-transcription factors (EMT-TFs) with epigenetic complexes. In this review, we discuss recent advances regarding the mechanisms that modulate EMT in the context of epigenetic regulation, with emphasis on epigenetic drugs, such as DNA demethylating reagents, inhibitors of histone modifiers and non-coding RNA medication. Therapeutic contributions that improve epigenetic regulation of EMT will translate the clinical manifestation as treating cancer progression more efficiently.
Document Type
Review
Publication Date
11-27-2020
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.596239
Funding Information
Our research was supported by the Shared Resources of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center (P30CA177558). Our research was also supported by grants from American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award (RSG13187) and NIH (P20GM121327 and CA230758) to YW.
Repository Citation
Dong, Bo; Qiu, Zhaoping; and Wu, Yadi, "Tackle Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition with Epigenetic Drugs in Cancer" (2020). Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications. 109.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pharmacol_facpub/109
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, v. 11, article 596239.
© 2020 Dong, Qiu and Wu
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