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Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
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Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

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Roles of TGF-β in cancer hallmarks and emerging onco-therapeutic design

Xiaofeng Dai1, Dong Hua2, Xiaoxia Lu3

  • 1Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.

Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
|November 8, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) has dual roles in cancer, suppressing early stages but promoting metastasis. Novel strategies, like combining cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) with TGF-β therapeutics, could harness its benefits for cancer control.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Therapeutics

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) exhibits complex roles in cancer, acting as both a suppressor and promoter.
  • Current anti-cancer strategies targeting TGF-β are limited by its dual functionality, hindering innovation.
  • Understanding TGF-β's context-dependent roles is crucial for effective cancer management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the complex roles of TGF-β in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis.
  • To explore novel therapeutic strategies that leverage the favorable properties of TGF-β in cancer treatment.
  • To investigate the potential of combining cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) with TGF-β-based therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Categorization of cancer hallmarks into critical transition events and enabling characteristics.
  • Delineation of TGF-β's complex functionalities in relation to these cancer traits.
  • Proposal of therapeutic scenarios integrating cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) with TGF-β onco-therapeutics.

Main Results:

  • TGF-β suppresses tumor initiation and early-stage progression.
  • TGF-β promotes cancer metastasis and other cancer hallmarks.
  • Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) possesses intrinsic anti-cancer properties against various hallmarks.

Conclusions:

  • TGF-β's dual role necessitates nuanced therapeutic approaches.
  • Combining CAP with TGF-β therapeutics offers a promising strategy for comprehensive cancer control.
  • Further investigation into synergistic therapeutic combinations is warranted.
Keywords:
Cancer hallmarksTGF-βcold atmospheric plasmaonco-therapeutic design

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