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Updated: Jun 24, 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 in breast cancer: too much, too late

Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff1, Rosemary J Akhurst

  • 1New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. mhbarcellos-hoff@nyumc.org

Breast Cancer Research : BCR
|March 18, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta initially suppresses breast cancer but is later subverted by malignant cells. Understanding TGF-beta

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta has a complex role in breast cancer.
  • Initially, TGF-beta acts as a tumor suppressor in breast tissue.
  • However, it is frequently co-opted by malignant cells during cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted role of TGF-beta in breast cancer.
  • To investigate how TGF-beta's function is subverted in malignant contexts.
  • To understand TGF-beta's regulation of DNA damage response and its implications for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on TGF-beta in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying TGF-beta's dual role.
  • Examination of TGF-beta's impact on DNA damage response pathways.

Main Results:

  • TGF-beta exhibits a dual role, acting as a tumor suppressor early on and a promoter later.
  • Malignant cells frequently subvert TGF-beta signaling pathways.
  • TGF-beta influences the DNA damage response, impacting cancer treatment efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • The paradoxical role of TGF-beta in breast cancer necessitates nuanced therapeutic strategies.
  • Targeting TGF-beta, particularly later in cancer progression, is a key area for pharmaceutical intervention.
  • Further research into TGF-beta's regulation of DNA damage response is crucial for improving cancer therapies.

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