Dichotomous Roles of TGF-? in Human Cancer #MMPMID27911726
Huang JJ; Blobe GC
Biochem Soc Trans 2016[Oct]; 44 (5): 1441-54 PMID27911726show ga
Transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) mediates/regulates numerous biological processes including embryonic development and maintenance of cellular homeostasis in a context dependent manner. Consistent with its central role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, inhibition of TGF-? signaling results in disruption of normal homeostatic processes and subsequent carcinogenesis, defining the TGF-? signaling pathway as a tumor suppressor. However, once carcinogenesis is initiated, the TGF-? signaling pathway functions to promote cancer progression. This dichotomous function of the TGF-? signaling pathway is mediated both through altered effects on the cancer cells, including via inducing epithelial to mesenchymal transition, as well as through effects on the tumor microenvironment, including via effects on angiogenesis and immunosurveillance. Current studies support inhibition of TGF-? signaling either alone, or in conjunction with anti-angiogenic therapy or immunotherapy as a promising of strategy for the treatment of human cancers.