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Updated: Nov 8, 2025

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
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Consequences of Mutations and Abnormal Expression of SMAD4 in Tumors and T Cells

Rongxue Wan1,2,3, Jianguo Feng2,4, Liling Tang1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China.

Oncotargets and Therapy
|April 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

SMAD4 tumor suppressor gene mutations are linked to poorer survival in human cancers. Loss of SMAD4 function promotes tumor growth and impacts T cell function, offering potential for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • SMAD4 is a key tumor suppressor in the TGF-β signaling pathway.
  • Mutations and inactivation of SMAD4 are common in human cancers.
  • Loss of SMAD4 function promotes tumor progression and impacts survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the consequences of SMAD4 mutations and abnormal expression in tumors.
  • To discuss the role of SMAD4 in T cell function.
  • To highlight the utility of SMAD4 mutations in cancer diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on SMAD4 in cancer and T cells.
  • Analysis of the impact of SMAD4 mutations on patient outcomes.
  • Examination of SMAD4's role in immune response within the tumor microenvironment.

Main Results:

  • SMAD4 mutations generally correlate with negative patient outcomes and reduced survival.
  • Loss of SMAD4 function can override tumor growth inhibition.
  • Emerging evidence points to SMAD4's critical role in T cell function and anti-tumor immunity.

Conclusions:

  • SMAD4 inactivation is a significant driver of cancer progression.
  • Understanding SMAD4's role in T cells is crucial for immunotherapy development.
  • Targeting SMAD4 mutations presents a promising avenue for novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
SMAD4T cellTGF-βabnormal expressionmutation

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