Abstract Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor, known for its invasiveness and high resistance to standard treatments. Therefore, better understanding of the mechanisms that promote mesenchymal changes in GBM are of great clinical importance. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible biological process in which epithelial cells adopt mesenchymal properties. During EMT, migration, adhesion and cellular morphology are altered allowing benign tumor cells to infiltrate surrounding tissues and to metastasize to distant sites. Several growth factors have been shown to trigger EMT in tumor development; the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-b) is the most prominent inducer of EMT. Epidemiological studies have shown that diets rich in fruits and vegetables play an important role in preventing cancer due to their polyphenol content. Among polyphenols, the anthocyanidins, found in berries, red grapes, and other pigmented foods, plants and vegetables, have anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, anti-angiogenic and anti-carcinogenic properties. Despite the well-known role of TGB-b in tumor progression, the impact of anthocyanidins on TGF-b-induced EMT remains misunderstood. Objectives: 1) Characterize the pharmacological effects of anthocyanidins (cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin and petunidin) on EMT, 2) identify the molecular targets leading to the inhibition of EMT modulated by anthocyanidins, and 3) characterize their effect on cellular activities involved in this tumor process. Methodology: The human U-87 glioblastoma (U-87 MG) cells were treated with anthocyanidins in pre-, co- and post-treatment with TGF-b. Results: Depending on the treatment, anthocyanidins affect differently the EMT induction by inhibiting U-87 MG cell migration. This inhibition resulted in a down-regulation of mesenchymal markers (fibronectin, snail), phosphorylation of Smad2 proteins and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK, JNK) in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, delphinidin was the most potent inhibitor for all treatments. Conclusion: This study highlights a new antimetastatic action of anthocyanidins that supports the beneficial health and chemopreventive effects of dietary-based strategies against cancer. Citation Format: Amira Ouanouki, Evelyne Muhire, Sylvie Lamy, Borhane Annabi. Pharmacological targeting of the TGF-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition by anthocyanidins in glioblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4316.