Giordanengo Lucia, Proment Alessia, Botta Virginia, Picca Francesca, Munir H M Waqas, Tao Jiahao, Olivero Martina, Taulli Riccardo, Bersani Francesca, Sangiolo Dario, Novello Silvia, Scagliotti Giorgio Vittorio, Merlini Alessandra, Doronzo Gabriella
Department of Oncology, Translational Oncology Laboratory "Paola Gilardi", San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.
Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, 10060 Candiolo, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jul 1;26(13):6353. doi: 10.3390/ijms26136353.
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a dynamic cellular process characterized by a phenotypic-functional switch of cells from endothelial-to-mesenchymal traits. Many studies have identified EndMT as a key driver of tumor growth and progression. EndMT supports tumor cell proliferation by creating a tumor microenvironment that facilitates cancer cell survival. Notably, EndMT is an important source of cancer-associated fibroblasts, leads to immune dysregulation and immune escape, and supports metastasis and resistance to therapy. Hence, understanding the intricate relationship between EndMT and cancer progression offers exciting new avenues for therapeutic intervention. This review aims to describe the central role of EndMT in tumor progression, highlighting the molecular mechanisms underlying this endothelial alteration and its significant involvement at all stages of tumor progression.
内皮-间充质转化（EndMT）是一种动态的细胞过程，其特征在于细胞从内皮表型向间充质表型的功能转换。许多研究已将EndMT确定为肿瘤生长和进展的关键驱动因素。EndMT通过创造有利于癌细胞存活的肿瘤微环境来支持肿瘤细胞增殖。值得注意的是，EndMT是癌症相关成纤维细胞的重要来源，导致免疫失调和免疫逃逸，并支持转移和对治疗的抗性。因此，了解EndMT与癌症进展之间的复杂关系为治疗干预提供了令人兴奋的新途径。本综述旨在描述EndMT在肿瘤进展中的核心作用，强调这种内皮改变的分子机制及其在肿瘤进展各个阶段的重要参与。
