Figure 3 |.

The possible roles of EMT-like states in the metastatic cascade. The loss of cell–cell adhesion that accompanies the loss of E-cadherin-mediated adherens junctions is a characteristic feature of EMT induced in vitro. This decreased cell–cell adhesion is accompanied by changes in the expression of proteases and matrix proteins that allow motile cells to invade through the basement membrane, resulting in invasive carcinoma. Similarly, these events can facilitate entrance into and escape from the bloodstream. Once at a secondary tissue, metastatic colonization requires survival, proliferation, and, possibly, MET. Abbreviations: EMT, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; MET, mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition.