Two sides of the same coin: Insights into the myoepithelial cells in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma development

[Display omitted] •The myoepithelial cell of the salivary gland can be considered a tumor suppressant cell in the development of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma.•Divergent signals can alter the role of the myoepithelial cell and induce it to compose a microenvironment propitious to the tumor progression.•This would cause myoepithelial cells to succumb and malignant epithelial cells to initiate progression beyond the basal membrane. The myoepithelial cell seems to play an important role as a tumor suppressor in the development of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. Nevertheless, interesting aspects concerning the other side of the coin, i.e., the contribution of the myoepithelial cell to cell proliferation, were brought to light. Here we highlighted the studies in which myoepithelial cells were presented as tumor suppressors and promoters in the context of PA malignant transformation. In conclusion, even if in a paracrine way, divergent signals can alter the suppressor role of the myoepithelial cell and induce it to compose a microenvironment propitious to the tumor progression of the malignant cells. This would cause myoepithelial cells to succumb and malignant epithelial cells to initiate progression beyond the basal membrane.