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Odyssey of trefoil factors in cancer: Diagnostic and therapeutic implications

Rahat Jahan1, Ashu Shah1, Sophia G Kisling1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, 68198, USA.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|April 17, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Trefoil factors (TFFs) protect the GI tract but also drive cancer progression and metastasis. This review explores TFFs

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology and Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Trefoil factors (TFFs) are secretory molecules crucial for gastrointestinal (GI) tract protection and repair.
  • TFFs regulate epithelial integrity through signaling pathways controlling cell migration, proliferation, and invasion.
  • Initially viewed as tumor suppressors, TFFs are now recognized for their significant role in cancer progression and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the structure, function, and mechanisms of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 in tumor progression and metastasis.
  • To elucidate the dual role of TFFs in both tissue repair and cancer pathogenesis.
  • To highlight the potential of TFFs as biomarkers for cancer stratification and therapeutic intervention.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on TFF structure and expression.
  • Analysis of data from TFF knockout mouse models.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of TFFs' mechanistic roles in tumorigenesis.

Main Results:

  • TFFs exhibit context-dependent roles, acting as protective agents in normal tissues and promoters of cancer progression.
  • Evidence suggests TFFs influence multiple stages of cancer, including initiation, invasion, and metastasis.
  • TFFs' expression patterns and functional implications vary across different organs and cancer types.

Conclusions:

  • A deeper understanding of TFFs' complex roles in cancer is essential for developing targeted therapies.
  • TFFs represent promising biomarkers for predicting tumor behavior and guiding treatment strategies.
  • Further research into TFFs' signaling pathways is warranted to fully exploit their therapeutic potential.
Keywords:
BiomarkerCancerCancer subtypeCell signalingMouse modelPrecancerous lesionTFF1TFF2TFF3Trefoil factor

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