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Bone morphogenetic proteins, activins, and growth and differentiation factors in tumor immunology and immunotherapy

Shonik Ganjoo1, Nahum Puebla-Osorio1, Selene Nanez1

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.

Frontiers in Immunology
|November 10, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The TGF-β superfamily, including BMPs, activins, and GDFs, impacts cancer progression and treatment resistance. This review explores their roles in immune cell function within the tumor microenvironment.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The TGF-β superfamily regulates crucial physiological processes like cell signaling and differentiation.
  • While TGF-β is well-studied, other members (BMPs, activins, GDFs) roles in cancer immunology are less understood.
  • TGF-β signaling's impact on cancer immunology and immunotherapy resistance is documented, but knowledge gaps exist for related factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the influence of BMPs, activins, and GDFs on immune cells.
  • To elucidate the roles of these factors in cancer progression.
  • To explore their involvement in resistance to cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on TGF-β superfamily members beyond TGF-β.
  • Synthesis of findings on immune cell modulation in cancer.

Main Results:

  • BMPs, activins, and GDFs significantly affect immune cell behavior in the tumor microenvironment.
  • These factors play roles in promoting or inhibiting cancer progression.
  • Their influence on immunotherapy resistance mechanisms is increasingly recognized.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding BMPs, activins, and GDFs is critical for advancing cancer immunology and therapy.
  • Targeting these factors may offer novel strategies for overcoming treatment resistance.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate their complex roles in cancer immunity.
Keywords:
TGF-β superfamilyactivinsbone morphogenetic proteinscancergrowth and differentiation factorsimmunotherapy

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