EMT-TF Expression in Colorectal Cancer in Tehran Population

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial cells lose their epithelial characteristics such as cell polarity and cell–cell contact, and gain mesenchymal properties, such as increased motility. In colorectal cancer (CRC), EMT is associated with an invasive or metastatic phenotype. EMT induced by special transcription factors such as EMT-TF. The ZEB and Twist proteins were defined as EMT‐TFs. All of these factors are expressed in embryogenesis and are capable of regulating developmental programs. In the current study, we evaluated Zeb1 and Twist1 expression levels in 30 CRC patients and 30 adjacent tissue from same patient. Our findings revealed a significant association of Zeb1 and Twist1 expression levels with CRC incidence, suggesting their potential for targeted therapy of disease.