Collagen XVII/Laminin-5 Activates Epithelia-to-Mesenchymal Transition and is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Lung Cancer

We searched for candidate genes responsible for Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by microarray analysis of cultured lung cancer cells with or without the property of spheroid formation. We found increased expression of a variety of adhesion molecules in cancer stem-like cells, including Collagen XVII. Further functional assays and signaling pathway were also investigated.