Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial cells lose their cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion, and gain migratory and invasive properties to become mesenchymal stem cells. It is indispensable for numerous developmental processes, and has also been implicated in wound healing, organ fibrosis and cancer metastasis. One important role of EMT in cancer is conductive to the generation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Although the contribution of EMT to tumor invasion has been confirmed, its role in metastasis is still controversial. In recent years, it has demonstrated that there is a correlation between the number of EMT CTCs and therapeutic outcome, and EMT markers in CTC analysis might offer valuable assistance for tumor staging and metastatic evaluation. Hence, in this article, the mechanisms of EMT and its role in cancer metastasis as well as clinical application of EMT markers in CTCs were summarized so as to further understand the specific mechanisms of cancer metastasis and potential value of EMT markers in CTCs.
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