Hallmark of cancer: metastasis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a hallmark of cancer metastasis. EMT is a process that allows epithelial cells to lose their epithelial characteristics and gain mesenchymal features, which makes them more invasive and migratory. This process is a key part of tumor progression and metastasis. EMT gives cancer cells stem-cell properties and makes them resistant to chemotherapy drugs.

上皮间质转化（Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition，简称EMT）是癌症转移的标志性特征。EMT是一种过程，它使得上皮细胞丧失其上皮特性并获得间质特征，从而增强其侵袭性和迁移能力。此过程是肿瘤进展和转移的关键环节。EMT赋予癌细胞干细胞的特性，并使其对化疗药物产生抗性。