Upon EMT activation, cancer cells typically shed the expression of epithelial markers, such as E-cadherin, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), lose their apical–basal polarity and cell-cell adhesion properties, demonstrate increased levels of mesenchymal markers such as filamentous actin stress fibers, N-cadherin, vimentin and exhibit an enhanced capacity to migrate and invade. The gene discussed is VIM; the disease is cancer.