The features of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer of various localizations and histological structure

Summary. 139 cases of lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma and gastric cancer were studied using histological and immunohistochemical methods. Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (ЕМТ) in cancers of various localizations and histological structure can be classified by spread (spread and focal), completeness (complete and incomplete). We have identified two types of EMT depending on the depth and severity of its manifestations. In the first type of EMT expression of cytokeratins is lost, expression of vimentin appears, but rounded, cubic shape of cells and partially their connection with each other can be maintained. In different organs it differs by singularity of direction of cell differentiation (adipogenic in renal cell carcinoma, mucus producing in the gastric cancer, very rarely macrophage in the lung cancer). In the second type of EMT tumor cells are similar in cancer of various localizations, they are spindle-shaped, with the production of extracellular matrix. The second type may occur against the background of the first one or out of touch with it. The presence of the second type of EMT is accompanied by a sharp increase in tumor invasiveness.