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Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in metaplastic breast cancer and phyllodes breast tumors

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Abstract

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a transdifferentiation program whereby epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal phenotype, is essential during embryonic development. EMT has also been implicated in cancer progression by conferring migratory and metastatic potential, as well as cell plasticity and stem cell like traits, to cancer cells. Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare aggressive type of breast cancer characterized by the presence of heterologous elements, typically by the existence of epithelial and mesenchymal components. Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are uncommon fibroepithelial neoplasms consisting of epithelial and mesenchymal elements. Although various hypotheses have been proposed on the pathogenesis of these biphasic tumors, there is growing evidence supporting the theory that PTs and MBC could both correlate with cancer related EMT. This review summarizes the existing literature on the emerging role of EMT in the pathogenesis of MBC and PTs. Both malignant PTs and MBC are characterized by poor prognosis. Therefore, several anti-EMT targeting strategies such as blocking upstream signaling pathways, targeting the molecular drivers of EMT and targeting mesenchymal cells and the extracellular matrix, could potentially represent a promising therapeutic approach for patients suffering from these aggressive neoplasms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, University General Hospital of Patras, Rion, Greece

    Ioanna Akrida, Francesk Mulita, Nikolaos Benetatos & Ioannis Maroulis

  2. Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, University of Patras Medical School, Rion, Greece

    Ioanna Akrida & Helen Papadaki

  3. University of Patras Medical School, Rion, Greece

    Kerasia-Maria Plachouri

  4. Department of Surgery, Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504, Rion, Greece

    Ioanna Akrida

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Akrida, I., Mulita, F., Plachouri, KM. et al. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in metaplastic breast cancer and phyllodes breast tumors. Med Oncol 41, 20 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-023-02259-4

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