Targeting epithelial-mesenchymal transition: Metal organic network nano-complexes for preventing tumor metastasis

Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of death in cancer patients, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential step in tumor metastasis. Unfortunately, during the chemotherapy, EMT could be induced under the selective pressure of clinical cytotoxic drugs. Here, to solve this problem, we have synthesized multi-functional epigallocatechin gallate/iron nano-complexes (EIN) as a versatile coating material to improve conventional therapies. In vitro studies showed that this strategy could eliminate EMT-type cancer cells. Mechanism studies also revealed that EIN was able to down-regulate the downstream expression of metastasis-associated factors, decrease the migration ability of cancer cells and prevent cancer cells from gaining drug resistance. In vivo investigation revealed that EIN had superior ability to enhance the therapeutic effect of conventional nanomedicines and inhibit the EMT process. Our study indicates the promising use of EIN to make up for the deficiencies of chemotherapy may provide insights into systematic cancer therapy to overcome tumor metastasis and drug resistance.