Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Human Cancer

Abstract

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a ubiquitous and essential regulator of cellular and physiologic processes including proliferation, differentiation, migration, cell survival, angiogenesis, and immunosurveillance. Alterations in the TGF-β signaling pathway, including mutation or deletion of members of the signaling pathway and resistance to TGF-β-mediated inhibition of proliferation are frequently observed in human cancers. Although these alterations define a tumor suppressor role for the TGF-β pathway in human cancer, TGF-β also mediates tumor-promoting effects, either through differential effects on tumor and stromal cells or through a fundamental alteration in the TGF-β responsiveness of the tumor cells themselves. TGF-β and members of the TGF-β signaling pathway are being evaluated as prognostic or predictive markers for cancer patients. Ongoing advances in understanding the TGF-β signaling pathway will enable targeting of this pathway for the chemoprevention and treatment of human cancers.