Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2025

Flow Cytometry-Based Isolation and Therapeutic Evaluation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
07:55

Flow Cytometry-Based Isolation and Therapeutic Evaluation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer

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987

TGFβ: Signaling Blockade for Cancer Immunotherapy

Szu-Ying Chen1, Ons Mamai1, Rosemary J Akhurst1,2

  • 1Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.

Annual Review of Cancer Biology
|November 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) has dual roles in cancer, suppressing tumors or promoting metastasis. Targeting TGFβ signaling may enhance immunotherapy by modulating the tumor microenvironment and adaptive immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is a pleiotropic cytokine with context-dependent roles in cancer.
  • TGFβ can act as a tumor suppressor or promote tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biological activities of TGFβ on various cells relevant to improving cancer immunotherapy.
  • To focus on TGFβ's impact on the adaptive immune system in the context of cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of TGFβ's functions in cancer and immunotherapy.
  • Analysis of TGFβ signaling pathways and their cellular effects.
  • Discussion of novel therapeutic strategies targeting TGFβ.

Main Results:

  • TGFβ promotes tumor invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapies like checkpoint blockade immunotherapies.
  • TGFβ influences the tumor stroma and immune microenvironment, affecting immunotherapy outcomes.
  • Targeting TGFβ can potentially overcome resistance mechanisms and improve therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding TGFβ's multifaceted roles is crucial for optimizing cancer immunotherapy.
  • Developing targeted TGFβ inhibitors with specific cell type or tumor targeting can improve the therapeutic window.
  • Modulating TGFβ signaling holds promise for enhancing patient responses to immunotherapies.
Keywords:
TGFβcancerimmunotherapyintegrins

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