RUNX3 inhibits the invasion and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by reversing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition through TGF-[beta]/Smad signaling

Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a candidate tumor suppressor, and its inactivation may play a crucial role in the carcinogenesis process of numerous cancer types, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We previously revealed that RUNX3 inactivation was correlated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and ESCC recurrence. However, the exact mechanisms of this process are still under investigation. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential roles and underlying molecular mechanisms of RUNX3 in ESCC metastasis and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). According to the results, RUNX3 expression in ESCC tissue was significantly reduced compared with that in adjacent normal tissue (0.50+0.20 vs. 0.83+0.16; P