In a landmark achievement, Prof. Gopal C. Kundu, Director of Research and Development at KIIT Deemed to be University, and his esteemed research cohort have published a seminal review article in the globally renowned Molecular Cancer (Impact Factor: 27.7) entitled “Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer metastasis: the status quo of methods and experimental models 2025”. This erudite exposition elucidates the pivotal role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in driving oncogenesis and metastatic dissemination, while delineating a comprehensive array of cutting-edge experimental modalities for studying these complex processes.
EMT, a pivotal cellular plasticity mechanism critical to embryogenesis and wound healing, assumes a deleterious role in cancer by enabling epithelial cells to acquire mesenchymal traits, thereby facilitating tumor initiation, cancer stemness, and resistance to therapeutic interventions. The review underscores the dual role of EMT, including its reversal, in the formation of metastatic lesions, offering profound insights into the metastatic cascade.
The article meticulously dissects the intricate stages of metastasis—encompassing migration, invasion, intravasation, systemic dissemination, extravasation, and metastatic colonization—which collectively contribute to the emergence of minimal residual disease (MRD), a formidable barrier to effective cancer management. Despite its significance, the mechanistic underpinnings of metastasis, particularly within heterogeneous metastatic microenvironments, remain elusive, necessitating advanced investigative approaches.
To empower the global scientific community, the review catalogs a diverse repertoire of experimental paradigms, including in vitro models for migration, invasion, and matrix degradation, as well as state-of-the-art three-dimensional co-culture systems, organoids, micro-fluidic platforms, and high-resolution spatial imaging. For in vivo studies, it depicts models such as the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, cell line- and patient-derived xenografts (CDX & PDX), syngeneic systems, genetically engineered murine models, and humanized mouse platforms, each evaluated for its precision in probing EMT and metastatic dynamics.
Moreover, the review highlights avant-garde methodologies for detecting dissemination and MRD in carcinomas, emphasizing their critical role in tracking disease progression and therapeutic response. Techniques such as enhanced lineage tracing, dynamic in vivo imaging, and preclinical therapeutic models are spotlighted as indispensable tools for unravelling the complex interplay between EMT and metastasis.
This review stands as a beacon for researchers and clinicians, bridging contemporary experimental strategies with emergent biological paradigms to catalyze the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for metastatic malignancies. It serves as an invaluable resource for both seasoned investigators and those entering the field of cancer biology.
Prof. Kundu expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT, KISS & KIMS and Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor of KIIT-DU for their unwavering commitment to fostering a world-class research ecosystem at KIIT-DU.