Figure 2. Dynamic EMT as a multi‐tool for tumor progression.

Overview summarizing the multiple oncogenic EMT functions in the course of tumor progression. The classical EMT functions allow cancer cell to migrate, invade, intra‐ and extravasate blood and lymphatic vessels. At the distant sites, MET enables the outgrowth of macrometastases. The non‐classical EMT traits support tumor initiation as well as metastatic colonization. Throughout the whole process of tumor progression, they help the cells to cope with changing conditions by metabolic reprogramming, enhanced survival via altered DNA repair and prevention of cell death, immune evasion and improved resistance to chemo‐ and radiotherapy. Importantly, EMT is not only supporting the cancer cells to handle changing environmental conditions, but is also induced by extracellular signals from, e.g., CAFs or immune cells in the microenvironment or by therapeutic approaches.