Open AccessMeasuring and Modelling the Epithelial- Mesenchymal Hybrid State in Cancer: Clinical Implications
Author(s) -
Mohit Kumar Jolly,
Ryan J Murphy,
Sugandha Bhatia,
Holly J. Whitfield,
Andrew Redfern,
Melissa J. Davis,
Erik W. Thompson
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cells tissues organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.662
H-Index - 82
ISSN - 1422-6405
DOI - 10.1159/000515289
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , computational biology , biology , phenotype , cancer , cancer research , bioinformatics , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics
The epithelial-mesenchymal (E/M) hybrid state has emerged as an important mediator of elements of cancer progression, facilitated by epithelial mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). We review here evidence for the presence, prognostic significance, and therapeutic potential of the E/M hybrid state in carcinoma. We further assess modelling predictions and validation studies to demonstrate stabilised E/M hybrid states along the spectrum of EMP, as well as computational approaches for characterising and quantifying EMP phenotypes, with particular attention to the emerging realm of single-cell approaches through RNA sequencing and protein-based techniques.