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Updated: Jun 20, 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

The tale of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) signaling: a soigné enigma

Arindam Chaudhury1, Philip H Howe

  • 1Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

IUBMB Life
|September 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) acts as a tumor suppressor early in cancer but promotes metastasis later. This review explores the complex, dual role of TGFbeta signaling in carcinogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) is a critical secreted cytokine involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes.
  • TGFbeta signaling plays a complex role in cancer development, acting as both an anti-proliferative tumor suppressor and a promoter of metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and elucidate the enigmatic dual role of TGFbeta signaling in carcinogenesis.
  • To highlight the transition of TGFbeta from a tumor suppressor to a metastatic promoter during cancer progression.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on TGFbeta signaling in cancer.
  • Literature search and analysis of studies investigating TGFbeta's function in early and late-stage tumorigenesis.

Main Results:

  • TGFbeta exhibits antiproliferative effects in early cancer stages, suppressing tumor growth.
  • In later stages, TGFbeta can promote tumor cell invasion and metastasis via autocrine signaling loops.

Conclusions:

  • TGFbeta signaling presents a paradox in cancer, with distinct roles depending on the stage of carcinogenesis.
  • Understanding the intricate regulation of TGFbeta is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies.

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