EMT and Cancer Progression and Treatment 2010

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological transcriptional reprogramming event used in normal organ development, and is characterized by the combined loss of epithelial cell junctions and cell polarity, and the gain of a mesenchymal phenotype. This reprogramming event allows for organ development through de-differentiation of normal epithelial cells, their migration through an extracellular matrix, and finally re-differentiation, homotypic adhesion and organ growth. EMT and mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) processes are now recognized in cancer progression. Understanding EMT/MET at the molecular level promises new insights into mechanisms of progression, detection of metastases, and therapeutic intervention. This conference is dedicated to these goals.