Recent progress on the effects of microRNAs and natural products on tumor epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Abstract

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process of phenotypic transition of epithelial cells that can promote physiological development as well as tissue healing and repair. In recent years, cancer researchers have noted that EMT is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. When tumor cells undergo EMT, they can develop enhanced migration and local tissue invasion abilities, which can lead to metastatic growth. Nevertheless, two researches in NATURE deny its necessity in specific tumors and that is discussed in this review. The degree of EMT and the detection of EMT-associated marker molecules can also be used to judge the risk of metastasis and to evaluate patients’ prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding small RNAs, which can inhibit gene expression and protein translation through specific binding with the 3′ untranslated region of mRNA. In this review, we summarize the miRNAs that are reported to influence EMT through transcription factors such as ZEB, SNAIL, and TWIST, as well as some natural products that regulate EMT in tumors. Moreover, mutual inhibition occurs between some transcription factors and miRNAs, and these effects appear to occur in a complex regulatory network. Thus, understanding the role of miRNAs in EMT and tumor growth may lead to new treatments for malignancies. Natural products can also be combined with conventional chemotherapy to enhance curative effects.

A novel six-gene signature for prognosis prediction in ovarian cancer

“…As previously described, EMT might control the expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors and promote immune evasion in nonsmall cell lung carcinoma [27]. miR-34a acts on SNAIL to regulate EMT in breast cancer and lung cancer cells [28]. The current EMT markers are not consistently related to poor prognosis because the cellular context is complex.…”

Narrower insight to SIRT1 role in cancer: A potential therapeutic target to control epithelial–mesenchymal transition in cancer cells

“…In many cancer patients, the malignancy and mortality of a tumor is correlated with the metastatic growth of localized primary tumors which eventually metastasize to other organs (He et al, ). The EMT is a dynamic process that involves significant morphogenetic changes and considered as a primary step in cancer metastasis.…”

Astragaloside IV inhibits TGF‐β1‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/NF‐κB pathway in gastric cancer cells

“…During EMT progress, cellular adhesion molecules such as E‐cadherin are repressed and then allow tumor cells to disseminate and spread throughout the body (Huang et al, ). Recently, some agents were found to suppress GC EMT, which shed light on its antitumor effects (He et al, ). It was reported that AS‐IV inhibited metastasis in hepatoma cells through the suppression of EMT (Qin et al, ).…”