Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Spheroid Assay to Measure TGF-β-induced Invasion
Published on: November 16, 2011
Transforming growth factor-beta and breast cancer: Tumor promoting effects of transforming growth factor-beta
1Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, 22nd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-5536, USA.
Abstract:
The transforming growth factor (TGF)-betas are potent growth inhibitors of normal epithelial cells. In established tumor cell systems, however, the preponderant experimental evidence suggests that TGF-betas can foster tumor-host interactions that indirectly support the viability and/or progression of cancer cells. The timing of this 'TGF-beta switch' during the progressive transformation of epithelial cells is not clear. More recent evidence also suggests that autocrine TGF-beta signaling is operative in some tumor cells, and can also contribute to tumor invasiveness and metastases independent of an effect on nontumor cells. The dissociation of antiproliferative and matrix associated effects of autocrine TGF-beta signaling at a transcriptional level provides for a mechanism(s) by which cancer cells can selectively use this signaling pathway for tumor progression. Data in support of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which TGF-beta signaling can accelerate the natural history of tumors will be reviewed in this section.
More Related Videos
06:36A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion
Published on: April 24, 2015
06:54Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
The Tumor Microenvironment
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway