TGF-β signalling and its role in cancer progression and metastasis.
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) system signals via protein kinase receptors and SMAD mediators to regulate a large number of biological processes. Alterations of the TGF-β signalling pathway are implicated in human cancer. Prior to tumour initiation and early during progression, TGF-β acts as a tumour suppressor; however, at later stages, it is often a tumour promoter. Knowledge about the mechanisms involved in TGF-β signal transduction has allowed a better understanding of cancer progression, invasion, metastasis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, several molecular targets with great potential in therapeutic interventions have been identified. This review discusses the TGF-β signalling pathway, its involvement in cancer and current therapeutic approaches.
Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. y.s.drabsch@lumc.nl
Yvette
Y
Drabsch
Peter
P
ten Dijke
D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051785:Smad Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta