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TGF-beta signaling in cancer--a double-edged sword

R J Akhurst1, R Derynck

  • 1Mt Zion Cancer Research Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0875, USA. rakhurst@cc.ucsf.edu

Trends in Cell Biology
|October 31, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) normally inhibits tumor growth. Cancer cells often evade this effect, promoting invasion and metastasis, necessitating therapies that block invasion while preserving TGF-β1

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Signaling

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) is a key tumor suppressor.
  • Cancer cells frequently develop resistance to TGF-β1's inhibitory effects.
  • Ras pathway activation commonly disrupts TGF-β1 signaling in carcinomas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the dual role of TGF-β1 in cancer.
  • To investigate mechanisms of resistance to TGF-β1.
  • To inform therapeutic strategies targeting TGF-β1 signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of TGF-β1 signaling pathways in cancer.
  • Investigating mechanisms of cancer cell resistance to TGF-β1.
  • Evaluating therapeutic interventions for TGF-β1-mediated effects.

Main Results:

  • Carcinomas often exhibit resistance to TGF-β1-induced growth inhibition.
  • Tumor cells can hijack TGF-β1 signaling to promote invasion and metastasis.
  • Dysregulation of TGF-β1 pathway components is common in cancers.

Conclusions:

  • Therapeutic strategies must address TGF-β1-induced invasion and metastasis.
  • Maintaining TGF-β1's tumor-suppressive functions is crucial for effective cancer treatment.
  • Targeting downstream effectors of TGF-β1 may offer novel therapeutic avenues.

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