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Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: A Key Driver of Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Resistance

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 324

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Oncology, University of Torino, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
Interests: angiogenesis; vascular oncology; cardiovascular diseases; metabolism; endothelial cell; insulin-resistance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT) is a process in which endothelial cells lose their characteristic features and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype, gaining migratory, invasive, and fibrotic properties. This transition is a key mechanism in both physiological processes, such as wound healing and fibrosis, and in pathological conditions, including tumor progression. During EndMT, endothelial cells within the tumor vasculature transform into mesenchymal-like cells, which not only promote abnormal blood vessel formation but also enhance the tumor's ability to grow, invade surrounding tissues, form metastases, and evade the immune system. For these reasons, EndMT has emerged as a potential target for cancer therapy and overcoming treatment resistance.

We invite the submission of research manuscripts and reviews focusing on the following topics: EndMT molecular mechanisms in physiology and tumors; the impact of drugs on the regulation of EndMT; the role of EndMT in tumor development, metastasis, immune evasion, and drug resistance; and targeting EndMT for therapy.

Dr. Gabriella Doronzo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
  • wound healing and fibrosis
  • tumor progression
  • abnormal blood vessel formation
  • cancer therapy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

39 pages, 2882 KiB  
Review
Shifting Shapes: The Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition as a Driver for Cancer Progression
by Lucia Giordanengo, Alessia Proment, Virginia Botta, Francesca Picca, H. M. Waqas Munir, Jiahao Tao, Martina Olivero, Riccardo Taulli, Francesca Bersani, Dario Sangiolo, Silvia Novello, Giorgio Vittorio Scagliotti, Alessandra Merlini and Gabriella Doronzo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136353 - 1 Jul 2025
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a dynamic cellular process characterized by a phenotypic-functional switch of cells from endothelial-to-mesenchymal traits. Many studies have identified EndMT as a key driver of tumor growth and progression. EndMT supports tumor cell proliferation by creating a tumor microenvironment that [...] Read more.
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a dynamic cellular process characterized by a phenotypic-functional switch of cells from endothelial-to-mesenchymal traits. Many studies have identified EndMT as a key driver of tumor growth and progression. EndMT supports tumor cell proliferation by creating a tumor microenvironment that facilitates cancer cell survival. Notably, EndMT is an important source of cancer-associated fibroblasts, leads to immune dysregulation and immune escape, and supports metastasis and resistance to therapy. Hence, understanding the intricate relationship between EndMT and cancer progression offers exciting new avenues for therapeutic intervention. This review aims to describe the central role of EndMT in tumor progression, highlighting the molecular mechanisms underlying this endothelial alteration and its significant involvement at all stages of tumor progression. Full article
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