Figure 2.

Hypothetical role of NOTCH1 in EMT and metastasis. Elevated NOTCH1 activity in epithelial tumor cells may promote EMT through EMT-regulating pathways and transcription factors, such as SNAIL, SLUG, ZEB1, and SOX9. Tumor cells that have undergone EMT display mesenchymal morphology and acquire enhanced invasiveness and metastatic potential. Inhibition of NOTCH1 by NOTCH inhibitors, including γ-secretase inhibitors and NOTCH1 monoclonal antibodies (mAb), may inhibit or reverse EMT and may be useful for treating metastatic cancers.