# Two distinct epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition programs control invasion and inflammation in segregated tumor cell populations

*PRI Rank #16 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Cancer Cells and Metastasis Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/cancer-cells-and-metastasis/2026/rank-16*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #16 |
| 18m citations | 67 |
| Journal | Nature Cancer |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s43018-024-00839-5 |
| Corresponding authors | M. Ángela Nieto |
| Institution | Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH), Spain |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Cancer Cells and Metastasis Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/cancer-cells-and-metastasis/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1038/s43018-024-00839-5](https://doi.org/10.1038/s43018-024-00839-5)

## Topics

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition · embryonic-like EMT · adult-like EMT · SNAIL · PRRX1 · pioneer factor · Cellular plasticity · neural crest · renal fibrosis mouse model · breast cancer mouse model · Metastasis · tumor inflammation · Tumor heterogeneity · cellular trajectory bifurcation · Tumor-associated macrophages · Prrx1 deletion · EMT trajectory interdependence · invasive trajectory · inflammatory trajectory

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Cancer Cells and Metastasis Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/cancer-cells-and-metastasis/2026. Accessed 2026-10-29.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```