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Updated: May 4, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
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TGF-beta in CAF-mediated tumor growth and metastasis

A Calon1, D V F Tauriello1, E Batlle2

  • 1Oncology Department, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|January 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling plays a dual role in cancer. This review explores how TGF-beta in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts promotes tumor progression and identifies potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling is crucial for cell and tissue regulation in homeostasis and disease.
  • TGF-beta exhibits a dual role in tumorigenesis, acting as both a tumor suppressor and promoter.
  • Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant stromal cells that enhance malignant progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging mechanisms of TGF-beta involvement in CAF-mediated cancer progression.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting TGF-beta signaling in CAFs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current evidence on TGF-beta signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of CAF functions and their interaction with cancer cells.
  • Examination of signaling pathways involved in CAF-driven tumor promotion.

Main Results:

  • TGF-beta signaling in CAFs contributes to cancer cell proliferation, migration, survival, and invasion.
  • CAFs, influenced by TGF-beta, create a tumor-promoting microenvironment.
  • Complex signaling networks mediate the tumor-promoting properties of CAFs.

Conclusions:

  • TGF-beta signaling is a key driver of CAF-mediated tumor progression.
  • Targeting TGF-beta pathways within CAFs represents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Cancer-associated fibroblastMetastasisStromaTGF-betaTumor microenvironment

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