论文部分内容阅读
Signals from the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily mediate a broad spectrum of cellular processes and are deregulated in many diseases,including cancer.TGF-β signaling has dual roles in tumorigenesis.In the early phase of tumorigenesis,TGF-β has tumor suppressive functions,primarily through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.However,in the late stage of cancer,TGF-β acts as a driver of tumor progression and metastasis by increasing tumor cell invasiveness and migration and promoting chemo-resistance.Here,we briefly review the mechanisms and functions of TGF-β signaling during tumor progression and discuss the therapeutic potentials of targeting the TGF-β pathway in cancer.