title: The dual role of Smad7 in the control of cancer growth and metastasis.
abstract: Smad7 was initially identified as an inhibitor of Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β due mainly to its ability to bind TGF-β receptor type I and prevent TGF-β-associated Smad signaling. More recently, it has been demonstrated that Smad7 can interact with other intracellular proteins and regulate also TGF-β-independent signaling pathways thus making a valid contribution to the neoplastic processes in various organs. In particular, data emerging from experimental studies indicate that Smad7 may differently modulate the course of various tumors depending on the context analyzed. These observations, together with the demonstration that Smad7 expression is deregulated in many cancers, suggest that therapeutic interventions around Smad7 can help interfere with the development/progression of human cancers. In this article we review and discuss the available data supporting the role of Smad7 in the modulation of cancer growth and progression.
authors: Via Montpellier 1, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy. carmine.stolfi@uniroma2.it.
authors: Carmine
authors: C
authors: Stolfi
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Marafini
authors: Veronica
authors: V
authors: De Simone
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Pallone
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Monteleone
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051906:Smad7 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051906:Smad7 Protein; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta