Transcription factors (TFs) connected with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) can have a substantive role in osteosarcoma. Evidence suggests that overexpression of EMT-TFs is associated with the complex pathogenesis of osteosarcoma, and that EMT also applies to mesenchymal-derived osteosarcoma.
I think the osteosarcoma cells don't have the characteristics of epithelial cell since they are intrinsic mesenchymal-derived cells.
Such EMT factors can influence osteosarcoma tumorgenesis indeed, but it doesn't mean such cancer type can undergo EMT process.
Are there any evidences that support the EMT theory in the osteosarcoma??And how to trace the osteosarcoma cells epithelial to mesenchymal transition process since they had been already mesenchymal cells.
Then by the same logic, Mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) in carcinomas should not occur, since carcinoma cell originate from epithelium. Mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) in carcinomas has been proposed to promote the growth of epithelial tumor cells at distant sites during metastasis. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2013.11.006
EMT plasticity not absent, since Some bone sarcomas are also reported to frequently express epithelial markers. "Mesenchymal to epithelial transition in sarcomas" doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2013.11.006
MET in osteosarcoma has been suggested by expression of the epithelial marker cadherin-11 (CDH11) and autocrine motility factor/phosphoglucose isomerase (AMF/PGI) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20978190 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18359978