Understanding epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral cancer: Made easy

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has a key role in embryogenesis. Formation of mesenchymal cells that can move, occurs by a process of differentiation from epithelial cells, through a process known as EMT, which is pivotal in various developmental processes, wound healing and behavior of stem cells. It also contributes pathologically to fibrosis and progression of metastatic disease. A metamorphosis of epithelia to mesenchymal cells is seen in tumourogenesis via EMT through which cancer cells acquire invasiveness to enter its surrounding stroma, creating a favorable microenvironment for cancer progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. EMT pathway is of great therapeutic interest in the treatment of cancer and could potentially be targeted either to prevent tumor dissemination in patients at high risk of developing metastatic lesions or to eradicate existing metastatic cancer cells in patients with more advanced disease. This review aims to understand the importancet of EMT in oral cancer.