LAUSR

&NA; The concept of the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in epithelial cells has accelerated our understanding about cancer spreading. Fortunately, much of this information has been able to be extrapolated to non‐epithelial cancers, such as glioblastoma (GBM). Interestingly, reactive astrocytes, which are present in the tumor edge in association with glioma cells, might also undergo EMT‐like under stimuli of GBM cells. As result, the positive feedback of reactive astrocytes and glioma cells, could act to promote cancer progression making use of the dynamism of the mesenchymal phenotype. Nonetheless, the interpretation of data regarding EMT‐like in GBM and astrocytes requires prudence, mainly because the program of EMT in epithelial tumors may not necessarily be the same as those in gliomas and astrocytes. Graphical abstract GBM could induce EMT‐like in reactive astrocytes, which, in turn, could promote changes in the surrounding microenvironment, stimulating tumor invasion and spreading. Figure. No caption available. HighlightsReactive gliosis is a highly heterogeneous state, in which astrocyte activities are altered to respond to injury.Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that plays key roles in embryogenesis and wound healing.EMT and its intermediate states have recently been identified as crucial drivers of organ fibrosis and tumor progression.Astrocytes undergo phenotypic changes when associated to GBM, which includes an EMT‐like process.