Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
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
TGF-beta3 and cancer: a review
H G Laverty1, L M Wakefield, N L Occleston
1Renovo Group Plc, Core Technology Facility, 48 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9XX, UK.
Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews
|August 7, 2009
Summary
Transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-beta3) may protect against cancer. Current data suggest that low doses of TGF-beta3 are unlikely to impact tumor development, despite some studies linking it to tumor progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Wound Healing
Background:
- Growth factors are emerging as therapeutics, prompting investigation into their role in tumorigenesis.
- Recombinant human TGF-beta3 (avotermin) is being developed for scar improvement, necessitating an understanding of its role in tumor progression.
- Elevated TGF-beta3 in late-stage tumors suggests a link to cancer, but functional data are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the role of TGF-beta3 in tumor initiation and progression.
- To differentiate the function of TGF-beta3 from other TGF-beta isoforms (e.g., TGF-beta1) in cancer.
- To evaluate the potential impact of exogenous TGF-beta3 administration on tumorigenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on TGF-beta3 expression and function in various cancers.
- Analysis of studies investigating the normal biological roles of TGF-beta3.
- Comparison of TGF-beta3 data with data from other TGF-beta isoforms.
Main Results:
- Published studies suggest TGF-beta3 may have a protective role against tumorigenesis in skin, breast, and mucosal tissues.
- The normal biological functions of TGF-beta3 may be subverted during cancer development.
- Extrapolation of data from TGF-beta1 to TGF-beta3 is inappropriate due to distinct biological activities.
Conclusions:
- TGF-beta3's role in tumorigenesis is complex and potentially protective, contrary to some correlational findings.
- Acute, low-dose administration of exogenous TGF-beta3 is unlikely to influence tumor initiation or progression.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the dual role of TGF-beta3 in cancer biology.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
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...
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...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
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...
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...
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
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...
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...
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
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...
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...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...