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Updated: Jun 2, 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

TGF-β signaling in breast cancer cell invasion and bone metastasis

Yvette Drabsch1, Peter ten Dijke

  • 1Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. y.s.drabsch@lumc.nl

Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia
|April 16, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) initially suppresses tumors but later promotes breast cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis. Targeting TGF-β pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for advanced breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) signaling is implicated in breast cancer development.
  • TGF-β exhibits dual roles: tumor suppression early on and tumor promotion later in the disease.
  • Cancer cell resistance to TGF-β's anti-mitogenic effects coincides with its pro-malignant functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • This review synthesizes the multifaceted role of TGF-β in breast cancer invasion and metastasis.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which TGF-β drives cancer cell dissemination.
  • To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the TGF-β pathway in breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating TGF-β signaling in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of research on TGF-β's impact on cell invasion and microenvironment modification.
  • Examination of studies detailing TGF-β-mediated bone and lung metastasis.

Main Results:

  • TGF-β promotes breast cancer cell invasion and alters the tumor microenvironment favorably for cancer cells.
  • Distinct mechanisms of TGF-β-induced metastasis to bone and lung have been identified.
  • The role of TGF-β shifts from tumor suppression to promoting malignant progression as cancer advances.

Conclusions:

  • TGF-β plays a critical role in driving breast cancer invasion and metastasis.
  • Understanding TGF-β's complex functions is key to developing effective anti-cancer therapies.
  • Targeting the TGF-β pathway presents a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention in breast cancer.

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