Figure 1:

EMT and resistance to anoikis.

Normal epithelial and premalignant cells undergo programmed cell death via anoikis upon detachment from the extracellular matrix/ tumor microenviroment (TME). Cancer cells develop resistance to anoikis and are able to survive in the peritoneal cavity despite shedding from the ECM/basement membrane. Key drivers of resistance to anoikis include TGF-β, Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), Epidermal-growth factor Receptor (EGF-R), Src, low pH, lactate, integrin α, heat shock protein (HSP), cytokines and the presence of Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and ascites in the peritoneal cavity (Adapted from [15]).