Metastasis is the hallmark of cancer that is responsible for the greatest number of cancer-
related deaths. Yet, it remains poorly understood. The continuous evolution of cancer …

Solid tumors are complex organ-like structures that consist not only of tumor cells but also of
vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM), stromal, and immune cells. Often, this tumor …

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) are phenotypic plasticity processes that confer
migratory and invasive properties to epithelial cells during development, wound-healing …

Myofibroblasts are contractile, α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells with multiple roles in
pathophysiological processes. Myofibroblasts mediate wound contractions, but their …

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is increasingly recognized as an important regulator in breast
cancer. ECM in breast cancer development features numerous changes in composition and …

All cells sense and integrate mechanical and biochemical cues from their environment to
orchestrate organismal development and maintain tissue homeostasis …

There is increasing evidence that malignant tumors are initiated and maintained by a sub-
population of tumor cells that have similar biological properties to normal adult stem cells …

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of macromolecules such as proteoglycans
(PGs), glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and fibrous proteins present within all tissues and …

Transitory phenotypic changes such as the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) help
embryonic cells to generate migratory descendants that populate new sites and establish …

Metastasis of tumor cells from primary sites of malignancy to neighboring stromal tissue or
distant localities entails in several instances, but not in every case, the epithelial …