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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

Inhibition of TGFbeta signaling in cancer therapy

Carlos L Arteaga1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. carlos.arteaga@vanderbilt.edu

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|December 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) plays a key role in tumor progression through paracrine and autocrine signaling. Targeting TGFbeta may offer new combinatorial cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is increasingly recognized for its role in tumor maintenance and progression.
  • TGFbeta signaling influences the tumor microenvironment, host immune system, and cancer cell-autonomous functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of TGFbeta in cancer.
  • To explore the interplay between oncogene and TGFbeta signaling.
  • To identify therapeutic opportunities for targeting TGFbeta in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent evidence on TGFbeta in cancer.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying TGFbeta signaling.
  • Evaluation of potential therapeutic strategies involving TGFbeta inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • TGFbeta contributes to tumor progression via paracrine effects on the microenvironment and immune system.
  • Autocrine TGFbeta signaling is implicated in cancer cell motility and survival.
  • Synergistic interactions between oncogenes and TGFbeta signaling drive epithelial cell transformation.

Conclusions:

  • TGFbeta is a critical mediator of tumor progression through diverse mechanisms.
  • Understanding TGFbeta cross-talk with oncogenic pathways is crucial for therapeutic development.
  • Combinatorial therapies incorporating TGFbeta inhibitors hold promise for cancer treatment.

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