The Cancer Chimera: Impact of Vimentin and Cytokeratin Co-Expression in Hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal Cancer Cells on Tumor Plasticity and Metastasis.

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program is critical to metastatic cancer progression. EMT results in the expression of mesenchymal proteins and enhances migratory and invasive capabilities. In a small percentage of cells, EMT results in the expression of stemness-associated genes that provide a metastatic advantage.