During embryonic development, EMT is essential for processes such as gastrulation and neural crest formation. It allows cells to migrate to new locations and differentiate into various cell types. In adults, EMT plays a role in wound healing and tissue regeneration by enabling epithelial cells to migrate and cover damaged areas.
However, EMT is also implicated in pathological conditions, particularly in cancer. It is a key step in the metastasis of epithelial tumors, where cancer cells acquire the ability to invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant organs. Understanding EMT is thus crucial for developing therapeutic strategies to combat cancer metastasis.
