Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration markers (EMT markers)

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration markers represent a diverse group of proteins and transcription factors that characterize the phenotypic shift of cells from a polarized, stationary epithelial state to a motile, invasive mesenchymal state (PubMed: 29476153). Key markers include the downregulation of epithelial proteins like E-cadherin and the upregulation of mesenchymal proteins such as N-cadherin and Vimentin, alongside the activation of transcription factors like Snail, Slug, and Twist (UniProt: P04119, P19022). These markers are critical in developmental biology but are pathologically hijacked in cancer to facilitate metastasis, chemoresistance, and immune evasion (NIH: PMC7019481). While not a single therapeutic target, individual components of the EMT program, such as TGF-beta or specific matrix metalloproteinases, are actively pursued as targets to inhibit tumor progression (PubMed: 31034517). Monitoring these markers serves as a vital diagnostic and prognostic tool for assessing disease severity and therapeutic response in oncology and fibrotic diseases (StatPearls: NBK542180).

Other names

EMT markersMesenchymal markersEpithelial markersCell motility markersEMT-related proteins

Inhibition of TGF-beta receptor kinase activity, neutralization of TGF-beta ligands, and broad-spectrum inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases.