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Updated: Jul 11, 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

Transforming growth factor-beta signaling in cancer invasion and metastasis

Suvi-Katri Leivonen1, Veli-Matti Kähäri

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University of Turku, FI-20521 Turku, Finland.

International Journal of Cancer
|September 13, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling has dual roles in cancer. This review highlights TGF-beta

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family members exhibit complex roles in cancer, acting as both tumor suppressors and oncogenes.
  • TGF-beta signaling involves serine/threonine kinase receptors, Smad proteins, and crosstalk with mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.
  • Cancer cells often evade TGF-beta's tumor-suppressive functions, leading to its promotion of invasion and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted role of TGF-beta signaling in tumorigenesis, focusing on cancer invasion and metastasis.
  • To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting TGF-beta signaling pathways for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on TGF-beta signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of Smad and MAPK pathway interactions in tumorigenesis.
  • Examination of TGF-beta's role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

Main Results:

  • TGF-beta signaling is crucial for regulating cell growth, survival, and motility.
  • Loss of TGF-beta responsiveness in cancer promotes invasion and metastasis.
  • TGF-beta can act as an autocrine factor to enhance malignant progression.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting TGF-beta signaling offers potential therapeutic avenues for inhibiting tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.
  • Understanding the dual role of TGF-beta is critical for developing effective cancer therapies.

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