Regulation of EMT by STAT3 in gastrointestinal cancer (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Bo Li
    • Chen Huang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 13, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.3846
  • Pages: 753-767
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is characterized by its aggressiveness and tendency to metastasize at early stage. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), commonly known as the preparing step of metastasis, may account for the aggressive phenotype of GI cancer cells. The process of EMT is finely orchestrated by multiple layers of regulators. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor constitutively activated in diverse malignancies. Recent studies have suggested an involvement of STAT3 in GI cancer EMT. In this review, we first take an insight into the oncogenic functions of STAT3 in GI cancer, and then summarize the possible mechanisms by which STAT3 regulates the EMT process. Through the extensive interactions with EMT-inducing transcription factors and non-coding RNAs, and crosstalk with other signaling pathways, STAT3 has been demonstrated to promote the mesenchymal and invasive phenotype of GI cancer, which provides rationales for specifically targeting STAT3 to prevent and reverse the progression of GI cancer.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

March-2017
Volume 50 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Li B and Li B: Regulation of EMT by STAT3 in gastrointestinal cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 50: 753-767, 2017
APA
Li, B., & Li, B. (2017). Regulation of EMT by STAT3 in gastrointestinal cancer (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 50, 753-767. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.3846
MLA
Li, B., Huang, C."Regulation of EMT by STAT3 in gastrointestinal cancer (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 50.3 (2017): 753-767.
Chicago
Li, B., Huang, C."Regulation of EMT by STAT3 in gastrointestinal cancer (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 50, no. 3 (2017): 753-767. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.3846