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Updated: Mar 7, 2026

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TGF-β Family Signaling in Tumor Suppression and Cancer Progression

Joan Seoane1,2, Roger R Gomis2,3

  • 1Translational Research Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|March 2, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling has dual roles in cancer, acting as tumor-suppressive in early stages and oncogenic in advanced cancer. Understanding this complexity is key to evaluating TGF-β as a cancer therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Cancer Biology
  • Molecular Signaling Pathways

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is a complex pathway with context-dependent effects.
  • In cancer, TGF-β exhibits dual roles: tumor suppression in early stages and oncogenesis in advanced stages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms underlying the dual response to TGF-β in cancer.
  • To explore how tumor cells evade TGF-β's tumor-suppressive functions and co-opt it for oncogenic purposes.
  • To assess the potential of targeting the TGF-β pathway therapeutically in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of accumulated knowledge on TGF-β signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms governing TGF-β's pleiotropic effects.
  • Examination of tumor cell evolution in response to TGF-β signaling.

Main Results:

  • TGF-β induces diverse gene responses, including cytostatic and apoptotic effects in early tumors.
  • In advanced cancers, TGF-β promotes proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis, acting as an oncogenic factor.
  • Tumor cells develop mechanisms to evade tumor-suppressive TGF-β responses and utilize it for their own growth.

Conclusions:

  • The dual and complex nature of TGF-β signaling in cancer necessitates detailed molecular understanding.
  • Evaluating TGF-β as a therapeutic target requires careful consideration of its context-dependent oncogenic roles.
  • Further research into these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies targeting the TGF-β pathway.

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