Epidermal growth factor-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition in human esophageal carcinoma cells – A model for the study of metastasis

Deciphering the molecular basis of esophageal cancer metastasis requires adequate experimental models. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the hallmark of tumor metastasis. As a promoter of the malignant progression of esophageal cancer, epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to induce EMT in several cell lines. In this study we examined the effects of EGF on esophageal carcinoma EC109 cells. We found that EGF at high concentration induced the cells to undergo morphological change, exhibit higher invasive and metastatic potential, as well as change in the expression of lineage markers. This EMT model might facilitate mechanistic studies of esophageal cancer metastasis.