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Updated: Mar 9, 2026

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TGF-β, Bone Morphogenetic Protein, and Activin Signaling and the Tumor Microenvironment

Michael W Pickup1, Philip Owens1, Harold L Moses1

  • 1Department of Cancer Biology and Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|January 8, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and activins impact tumor microenvironment. Understanding their complex roles is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies targeting stromal cells.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Tumor progression is influenced by the tumor microenvironment.
  • Cytokines like TGF-β, BMPs, and activins regulate microenvironment phenotypes and functions.
  • These cytokines are potential targets for attenuating pro-tumorigenic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse effects of TGF-β, BMP, and activin signaling on cancer-associated stromal phenotypes.
  • To summarize the tumor-suppressive or tumor-promoting roles of these signaling pathways.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these cytokines alter stromal cell behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating TGF-β, BMP, and activin signaling in cancer-associated stroma.
  • Synthesis of findings on cytokine effects across various cell types and cancer contexts.
  • Analysis of molecular alterations induced by these cytokines in stromal cells.

Main Results:

  • TGF-β, BMP, and activin signaling pathways exhibit context-dependent roles in cancer progression.
  • These cytokines can either promote or suppress tumor growth by modulating stromal cell phenotypes.
  • Specific molecular changes induced by these cytokines contribute to altered stromal functions.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of TGF-β, BMP, and activin signaling is essential for clinical interventions targeting the tumor microenvironment.
  • Targeting these cytokine pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
  • Further research is needed to fully delineate the pleiotropic effects of these cytokines in diverse cancer settings.

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