Similar to embryonic development, changes in cell phenotypes defined as an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been shown to play a role in the tumorigenic process. Although the first description of EMT in cancer was in cell cultures, evidence for its role in vivo is now widely reported but also actively debated. Moreover, current research has exemplified just how complex this phenomenon is in cancer, leaving many exciting, open questions for researchers to answer in the future. With these points in mind, we asked four scientists for their opinions on the role of EMT in cancer and the challenges faced by scientists working in this fast-moving field.

与胚胎发育相似，已定义为上皮向间质转化（EMT）的细胞表型变化在致瘤过程中起作用。尽管EMT在癌症中的第一个描述是在细胞培养物中，但现在已广泛报道了其在体内的作用的证据，但也引起了积极的争论。此外，当前的研究证明了这种现象在癌症中的复杂程度，这为研究人员在未来的研究中留下了许多令人兴奋的开放性问题。考虑到这些观点，我们请四位科学家就EMT在癌症中的作用以及在这个快速发展的领域中工作的科学家所面临的挑战提出意见。