Hallmark of cancer: metastasis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (Homo sapiens)

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Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a hallmark of cancer metastasis. EMT is a process that allows epithelial cells to lose their epithelial characteristics and gain mesenchymal features, which makes them more invasive and migratory. This process is a key part of tumor progression and metastasis. EMT gives cancer cells stem-cell properties and makes them resistant to chemotherapy drugs.